Philippines seeks Korea assistance in development of e-vehicle industry

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is seeking the assistance of Korea in the development of the country’s electric vehicle industry as the country prepares to go full speed with its public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program.

Officials of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), together with high-level Department of Trade and Industry officials, met recently with representatives of the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy in Seoul to identify ways on how Korea, being more advanced in electric vehicle technology, can support the Philippines’ electric vehicle industry.

EVAP said Korea’s assistance is very timely given the ongoing PUV modernization program of the government that seeks to upgrade dilapidated PUVs.

During the meeting, EVAP said the Philippines proposed a cooperation with Korea in the joint conduct of a market feasibility study on electric vehicle to include safety standards, regulations, and financing.

The country is also considering to adapt the safety and quality control systems of Korea and how the two countries can possibly collaborate to achieve the goals of PUV modernization program of the Philippines within the Duterte administration.

 “We know our government is very supportive of this sunrise industry and we just need reliable electric vehicle technology, parts, and components to use in the PUV modernization program of the government. These are things Korea has,” EVAP president Rommel Juan said.

The PUV modernization program of the Department of Transportation and the DTI is aimed at upgrading some 200,000 PUVs over the next six years. Specifically, the target are vehicles that are more than the maximum allowable 15 years of age.

The old PUVs will be replaced with the modern PUVs that are powered by either brand-new Euro 4 compliant diesel engines or electric motors.

The program is part of efforts to provide a safer transport system for commuters while mitigating the effects of climate change.

Considering its current manufacturing capability and state of the domestic electric vehicle industry, EVAP is targeting to provide about 10 percent of the total volume, or 20,000 units, over the next six years.