More than 3-million EVs and Plug-in Hybrids roam the world

Wouldn’t it be nice to have an alternative to fossil fuel-powered cars in the Philippines today? Well, chances are we just might have another option in the near future as worldwide sales of electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrids have surpassed the 3-million mark.

Related: Nissan's Plans for Electric Vehicles in the Philippines

According to a report by The Guardian, the surge in sales can be attributed to the lower manufacturing costs of batteries, government incentives, and more players in the global market. In 2017, we saw numerous brands launch their own EVs such as the Tesla 3, the new Nissan LEAF, and even the Volkswagen I.D. series. The trend is even seen in motorsports as more brands such as Nissan, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz join the world’s 1st fully-electric single-seater series called Formula E.

Considering all these, EV sales are predicted to reach 5-million by the end of 2018 with China leading the way. Currently, the only EV/Plug-in Hybrids in the Philippines are the Toyota Prius-C, the Honda Legend, the sole Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in the country (unfortunately not for sale), and a handful of “e-jeepneys.”

Wouldn’t it be nice to see more EVs on the road as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) takes full effect? Hopefully, our government would implement the Senate Bill No. 2151 a.k.a. Electric, Hybrid, and other Alternative Fuel Vehicles Promotion Act of 2014 soon and build more infrastructure to accommodate these.