DOE to require EV charging stations in parking lots

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) will release a circular this month requiring all building owners to dedicate a portion of their parking slots to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

The circular is anchored on Section 17 of the Electric Vehicle Industry Act, which requires public and private buildings with at least 20 parking slots to dedicate five percent of them for EV charging stations.

Patrick Aquino, DOE-energy utilization management bureau director, said the circular will guide the installation of charging stations, especially since some buildings have varying conditions.

“We haven’t issued the circular yet because we have a lot of technical considerations,” Aquino told dzMM yesterday.

“For example, in condominiums, like what (DOE) Secretary Sharon (Garin) has mentioned, she’s having a hard time because we have considerations when the building is old. So, the circular contains provisions for these kinds of conditions so our countrymen can have access to charging,” he said.

Aquino said there are only 1,600 registered EV charging stations in the Philippines, most of which are located in Luzon.

The DOE eyes 7,000 stations by the end of 2028.

While most Filipinos still prefer a gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle for their next purchase, that number has dropped compared to the past year, according to the 2026 Global Automotive Consumer Study by audit services firm Deloitte.

Out of 907 Filipinos surveyed, 62 percent still want to buy a car equipped with an internal combustion engine, down from 68 percent in 2025.

Twenty percent prefer purchasing a hybrid vehicle, 11 percent a plug-in hybrid vehicle and three percent a battery vehicle.

Filipinos who lean toward buying an EV cite lower fuel costs, environmental concerns and driving experience as top reasons for their choice.

But the lack of public charging infrastructure stands out as the top reason why most Filipinos are still hesitant to shift to EVs, according to the Deloitte poll, with other worries including the cost to replace the battery, the time required to charge the vehicle and range anxiety.

The survey also reported that only nine percent prefer parking lots as a public EV charging location. Most want either a dedicated EV charging station or a traditional gas station with EV chargers.

Aquino assured the motoring public that the “government is listening” to their concerns about EVs.

“The President has already released the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy and, as Garin already mentioned, we will release the establishments where the charging stations will be installed. The government is committed that when you transition to EVs, they will be powered by renewable energy,” the director said.