Local EV Group Gears Up for Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit 2019

It is all systems go for the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), the main voice of the electric vehicle industry in the country, as it prepares for this year’s Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) this coming July 17-18, 2019 at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall Of Asia complex in Pasay City.

EVAP President Edmund Araga observes that the electric vehicle industry scene in the Philippines has never been more exciting as EVs are now becoming 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 says.

Araga also reveals that more eJeepney deployments are being done in Metro Manila as well as in Visayas and Mindanao as part of the government's PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP). The PUVMP aims 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. The PUVMP has made retail financing available through Landbank and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Hyundai will exhibit their exciting electric vehicles 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 for so long.

"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," he says.

EVAP has also partnered with the Philippine Nickel Industries Association to explore the possibility of locally manufacturing nickel metal hydride and lithium ion batteries for automotive application. The Bureau of Philippine Standards is now busy crafting a complete set of standards for EVs that will cover parts, components, testing parameters and procedures, and safety features.

Araga explains that with all these positive EV developments unfolding this year, the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit 2019 with its theme 'Modernizing the Transport Landscape: Driving Sustainable Growth' 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," says Araga.