Multi-brand test drives, charging infrastructure, and gov’t showcase highlight e-mobility ecosystem
The 14th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) opened yesterday at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia Complex, in a year when electrified vehicles took a much bigger share of Philippine car sales.
From January to July 2026, electrified vehicle sales rose 136.4% to 38,286 units, while total vehicle sales fell 10.2%. Battery EV sales alone grew about 300% to 10,476 units.
Organized by the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) under the theme “Driving ASEAN Forward: Building an Integrated Electric Mobility Ecosystem,” the Summit runs through October 24, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily. It comes as the Philippines serves as ASEAN chair this year, and as the government keeps its target of 50 percent EV penetration on Philippine roads by 2040.
“Every time global oil prices increase, our jeepney drivers, our logistics sector, small business owners, and every Filipino family suffers. This is not just an energy issue—this is an economic and national security issue,” said EVAP President Willy Q. Tee Ten.
“This is precisely why we push electric vehicles, which are no longer an alternative, but an imperative. The good news is that the Filipino is now ready, and the Philippines is now ready. The demand for EVs in the Philippines has never been this strong,” he added.
Test drives from more than 15 brands
More than 15 vehicle brands are on display and offering test drives, covering city cars, family SUVs, premium and performance models, commercial vehicles and electric two-wheelers. Participating brands include BYD, Kia, Toyota, Nissan, MG, Geely, Zeekr, Deepal, MINI, Lotus, Changan, AVATR, Dongfeng Motors, Forland, NWOW and NXT.
“Today, you will see for yourselves a lot of EV brands now entering the Philippines, from major automotive giants to innovative startups. Everyone wants to be part of the Philippine EV story. This is a strong pool of contenders in our market, serving the law and the Filipino consumer. More brands mean more choices, more competitive prices, and more technologies available to every Filipino that will best fit their budget and lifestyle,” Tee Ten highlighted.
Charging and the rest of the ecosystem
Visitors can look at charging solutions ranging from home setups to systems for commercial, industrial and fleet use. Banks, financing companies and insurance providers are on the show floor to help buyers work out the real cost of switching. As of March 31, the Department of Energy counted 1,569 charging points nationwide and 258 accredited charging station providers.
“An electric vehicle cannot run without its ecosystem. That is why I am very proud to share that charging stations and EV chargers are now being rapidly expanded nationwide—from our major malls to gas stations, offices, condominiums, and even in our own homes… You can now drive an EV from north to south with peace of mind. The “chicken and egg” problem is now being solved because both vehicles and chargers are here,” Tee Ten said.
The Summit is presented with partners ACMobility, the AutoHub Group of Companies, the Department of Energy and Toyota Motor Philippines.
Joining the EV brands on the show floor are Pioneer Trucks, Autowise, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), MERALCO, Power Equipment & Supplies, Inc. (PESIN), Pyro X, EVOxCharge, BPI, ChargeCube Technologies, Eclimo Electric Management Inc. (EEMI), FCC Philippines, Finasiatech Corp., Intercharge Corp., Jiangsu, Pioneer Insurance, Shandong Longli Electronics, Shandong Weiwei Power and WeCharge Hyperfast, along with media partners.
The Philippine EV Community (PEVC), a network of 100,000 EV owners, is leading an owner-led EV display and will manage the talks on October 24, with sessions for current owners and for people thinking of buying one.
Government at the opening
Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum Jr., and Department of Trade and Industry Supervising Investment Specialist Elvin Raymond Garcia each delivered a message at the opening program.
“For years, each part of this industry worked on its own problems. Now the car companies, the regulators, the power sector and the financiers are talking to each other, and that helps us move faster,” Tee Ten said.
Throughout the three days of the summit, visitors can view booth presentations by different e-mobility brands as well as educational sessions covering the debunking of e-mobility myths and technology, EV safety, integration of EVs in businesses, EV charging and infrastructure, integrated solar and EV charging systems, and more.
Entrance to the Summit is P100, and students can enter for free. Registration is open at https://evsummit.net/.
