DOE and Japan turn over more EVs to PH government

The road to electrification is slowly taking its pace with the recent news from the Department of Energy (DOE). The agency, along with the representatives from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines hands over four electric vehicles (EVs) to the Office of the President and the Department of Science Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). With fuel prices rising week after week, a switch to EV could become a need rather than just a preference, and internal progress is the way to go.

The move is in line with DOE’s E-Power Mo! Campaign with the thrust E-Safety Mo!, which supports the switch to modern and safe vehicles for smaller carbon footprint. This isn’t the first time that the Philippines got its share of donated EVs from the government of Japan.

DOE mentioned that these EVs are part of the first wave of equipment donated by the Japanese government to the Philippines to help in the recovery efforts after typhoon Yolanda. The initial recipients were Philippine National Police precincts within Region 8 and National Government Agencies (NGAs) with an integral role in emergency response and rehabilitation.

In retrospect, eight EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs were turned over to the DOE by the Japanese government last year, in cooperation with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC).

This year, a number of EVs, PHEVs, and quick charging stations were also donated to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR), among others. A joint study on EVs has also been commenced with Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU), Mapua University, Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), and the University of the Philippines (UP). All in all, the effort to electrify the mobility here in the Philippines have been tremendous, but admittedly, the Philippines is still a long way to go as reflected in this year’s Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit.

Although, the specific EVs and PHEVs weren’t mentioned in DOE’s press release. Here’s what the agency included: “The OP and the DOST-PCIEERD will each receive two vehicles - one plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and one electric-powered vehicle. Both units will be the first of its kind to be used for demonstration and testing by any NGA in the country.”