The biggest annual conference promoting electric vehicles in the country is set to stage its second virtual summit in the new normal next month.
The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), together with the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) and in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE), will host the 9th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) on August 26-27, 2021 via the online platform Zoom.
With the theme ‘Accelerating the Switch to Electro-Mobility in the Philippines,’ the two-day event will focus on fast-tracking electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the local transport sector in line with the government’s medium-term goal of attaining a low-carbon economy.
“We need to step up our efforts to achieve our goals for rapid EV deployment, and to do this, government and private sectors need to collectively reaffirm their commitment to do so,” said EVAP President Edmund Araga.
“Among the highlights of the 9th PEVS will be the symbolic signing of the stakeholder Memorandum of Understanding, which is aimed at speeding up the switch to electro-mobility by 2025,” Araga added. Government agencies, the academe, civil society groups and EVAP will reaffirm their commitment to work towards the transition to a more sustainable transport system.
EVAP continues to work closely with government and industry stakeholders to catalyze a behavioral change towards a more sustainable future, through the modernization and electrification of public and private transport.
Two-day Conference Highlights
Day One of the online conference will focus on policy dialogues about technologies and solutions. Opening the 9th PEVS are keynote messages by the EV Champions in the Legislative and Executive branches of the government — including Rep. Juan Miguel Macapagal-Arroyo, House Committee on Energy Chairman; DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi; and Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Senate Committee on Energy Chairman. EVAP also anticipates a keynote message from a high-ranking official of the UK government who will be hosting this year’s COP 26.
Aside from the symbolic reaffirmation of EV transition commitment, the morning session of the first day will also host the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Asian Federation of Electric Vehicle Association (AFEVA) and the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE). Session on EV policy and Standards Regulations are also featured in the morning session. The summit promises an exciting afternoon for technology junkies with sessions on what’s in and what will be the future of EV technology.
Day Two will tackle EV value chain development and market opportunities. The sessions will include discussions about manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries, establishment of charging network and infrastructure, viable business models and the very important topic of financing EV programs.
EV Industry Roadmap in PH
Currently, the government is working to attain the goals of its EV Industry Roadmap (2016-2024) as set by the Department of Trade and Industry – Board of Investments (DTI-BOI). The strategy includes provision of incentives to stakeholders involved in adoption of low-emission technologies.
Meanwhile, both chambers of Congress are also working to pass the Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Act to boost consumer demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the country and make EVs more affordable in the long run. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has also launched a public utility vehicle modernization program that will replace traditional vehicles for public transport with new and environmentally-friendly alternatives that comply with global standards. The Land Transportation Office has also very recently released the regulations on electric vehicle use in the country.