Manila: The Department of Energy (DOE) is optimistic that the country will register at least 311,700 electric vehicles (EVs) by 2028 as it ramps up efforts to promote cleaner transportation and reduce dependence on imported fuel. Speaking during a gathering at Summit Hotel here on Wednesday, DOE officials expressed confidence that the country could achieve the short-term target under the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI) as public awareness of the benefits of EVs continues to grow.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DOE is taking strategic steps to meet its ambitious target, including the issuance of EV policy guidelines aimed at promoting the adoption of electric vehicles in the country through the development of a robust charging infrastructure. Lourdes Arciaga, chief of the DOE Visayas Field Office's Energy Utilization Management Division, stated, "We still have two years to meet the target." The DOE aims to establish 7,300 electric vehicle charging stations (CS) nationwide, which will be required in selected public areas such as gasoline stations, expressways, shopping malls, parking facilities, condominiums, hotels, and government offices.
As of the end of 2025, the country had 60,906 registered electric vehicles. These include 38,363 sport utility vehicles, 13,026 utility vehicles, 7,797 sedans, 1,608 motorcycles and tricycles, 69 buses, and 43 trucks and trailers. At least 1,774 EV charging stations were established nationwide as of June 2026, with the majority located in Luzon.
Meanwhile, the national government launched a new incentive program on July 29, 2026, aimed at accelerating the local manufacturing and assembly of EVs and their components, while making it more affordable for Filipino consumers. Under Executive Order No. 121, the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy Program was introduced to encourage investments in the country's electric vehicle industry and strengthen domestic production. The government said the program is expected to reduce production and logistics costs, potentially lowering the prices of qualified locally manufactured or assembled electric vehicles by about 6 percent to 12 percent, or by as much as PHP200,000, depending on the vehicle model and the program's implementation.
The DOE stated that these initiatives are part of the implementation of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which was signed into law in April 2022. The measure seeks to strengthen the country's energy security and independence by reducing reliance on imported fuel in the transport sector while fostering the development and wider adoption of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. EVIDA also mandates the creation of the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry. The roadmap outlines strategies for expanding charging infrastructure, boosting local manufacturing, supporting research and development, and enhancing human resource development. It also sets short-, medium-, and long-term targets to address barriers to industry growth and align public and private sector initiatives in developing the country's electric vehicle industry.
