Despite power crunch, e-vehicle makers to push products

MANILA, Philippines - The Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines will continue to promote the use of electric vehicles in the Philippines despite a looming power shortage in the country next year, said Rommel Juan, the group’s president.

He also said it is unlikely that the use electric vehicles is adding to the shortage problem because the industry is still considered at its infancy and thus, does not consume a lot of electricity yet.

“Electric vehicles must not be pinpointed as a main contributor to the power problems as this industry is only in its infancy stage and does not yet consume a considerable amount of power as an industry,” Juan said.

He said power outages are foreseen due to the increasing power demand as a result of the country’s continuous economic growth that is expected to be driven partly by manufacturing.

At the same time, Juan said electric industry players would make sure that they also pursue alternative sources of energy.  

“The electric vehicle industry should not be fully dependent on the traditional sources of power we use today such as those that still come from coal and fossil fuel power plants. EVAP endorses the setting up and use of alternative energy sources such as solar, wind and biogas,” he said.

He also said an increase in power requirement is a sign of growth.

Juan said the electric vehicle industry strongly supports sustained economic growth in the country.

 “We support the country in its sustained economic growth and we believe that the development of the local electric vehicle industry and the possibility of making the Philippines the electric vehicle manufacturing hub in Asia are noble undertakings that will put our country in the world electric vehicle map. We believe that the electric vehicle industry will generate much needed jobs for our countrymen, earn much needed tax revenues for our government, help save the country from excessive oil importation and help improve the environment in the process,” Juan added.