Pasay city: An official of the Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday disclosed a plan for an inter-agency measure that will shorten the period to secure permits to set up electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. DOE Director Patrick Aquino, in an interview during the opening of the four-day Philippine International Motor Show in Pasay City, said the agency is working with several government agencies for the issuance of a memorandum that will streamline the process of securing a permit.

According to Philippines News Agency, the other agencies taking part in this move are the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Anti-Red Tape Authority. Current rules provide for a six-month period to secure a permit that will allow EV charging station proponents to install their units.

'So, what we're trying to say is that we were able to do it through a joint issuance, a joint order for net metering. Our net metering has become faster. It's been 20 days, now it's just 10 days. That's also the same framework that we're doing for the charging stations,' he said. To date, there are about 1,600 charging stations mostly in Luzon, and the goal is to hit 7,000 units by 2028, Aquino said.

Assuring the availability of more EV charging stations nationwide will help boost EV sales, he added. Aquino said people are now more educated on the need to transition to EVs, citing the impact of the current Middle East crisis on fuel supply. 'Our goal is to transition because let's remember, what this entire disruption has shown us is that we can't rely solely on imported fuel. If we do electric, whether it's HEV (hybrid EV), lesser consumption, or battery electric, we can power it using something else, like renewable energy,' he said.

He said he hopes for the registration of an estimated 100,000 EVs by the end of the year, up from the 60,000 by the end of 2025. 'This growth protects increasing market interest, expanding participation across the value chain, and continuing efforts to strengthen the enabling environment for electric mobility,' he said in his speech. Aquino also disclosed the bid to establish a Fuel Economy Performance Rating System. 'These initiatives will help consumers with more meaningful and comparable information on vehicle fuel economy performance while promoting continuous improvements in vehicle efficiency,' he added.