'Green Light' for PH EV Summit 2019

The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), the main voice of the electric vehicle industry in the country, is ready for this year's Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS).

Themed 'Modernizing the Transport Landscape: Driving Sustainable Growth', the PEVS is slated from July 17 to 18, 2019 at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall Of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

EVAP President Edmund Araga said that the EV industry locally has become mainstream.

"Infrastructure and government support to sustain the growth of the EV industry are now being set up. The 3,000 Bemac eTrikes of the Department of Energy (DOE) now being deployed nationwide are becoming more visible in various LGUs," he said.

According to Araga, more e-Jeepney deployments are being done in Metro Manila as well as in Visayas and Mindanao as part of the PUV Modernization Program.

The said program, Arata noted, is eyeing to upgrade some 200,000 public utility jeepneys over the next six years, with Modern PUVs powered by either a Euro 4-diesel engine or an electric motor.

He also said that retail financing is available for PUVMP via Landbank and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

Araga revealed that automotive giants like Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Hyundai will showcase their exciting EVs at the upcoming summit.

A few electric cars converted from their regular conventional-engine configuration will also be on display. Even battery-maker Motolite will unveil a new EV that it has been keeping under wraps.

"All in all, we expect about 15 vehicles to be exhibited and over a thousand visitors to visit the EV Summit daily. We will have on display the latest electric tricycles, cars, SUVs, and jeepneys participating in the PUVMP. You will even have the opportunity to test drive some of these EVs at the grounds near SMX. The best news is that if you visit the EV Summit, you might bring home an eTrike that will be the major prize in a raffle we will be conducting," the EVAP chief added.

Araga explains that with all the developments unfolding, the PEVS is no longer focused on just introducing EVs to the Philippines and the Filipinos, but towards actual end-user adoption already and how they can be fully utilized for a truly sustainable and electrified Philippine transport.

In scheduled technical sessions, public transport officials, local government representatives, members of the academe, and EV and automotive industry players are expected to discuss the issues that will help make EVs more mainstream in the Philippine setting.

"We invite EV enthusiasts and the general public to come and see what the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit 2019 has to offer--the future of automotive technology. We are sure that our EV displays and talks from various EV experts will be both educational and enlightening for all involved," said Araga.

To facilitate entry into the EV Summit, you may register online in advance through the event website at PEVSummit.com.