Perks for EV makers roll out in Jan
The Philippine government expects to open applications for its long-awaited Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (Evis) by January 2027, as it moves to attract automotive manufacturers and build a domestic industry for electric vehicles (EVs).
Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said the program’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) were in the final stages of preparation, with minor revisions being made following an interagency review.
“For sure, in January, the application will be open,” said Rodolfo, who also serves as Board of Investments managing head.
Rodolfo told reporters the remaining revisions were technical, not fiscal, and would not substantially alter the incentive framework.
He said the government was targeting the release of the IRR before the end of November.
Earlier, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) had targeted a September rollout of the rules and an October opening of applications.
Evis offers incentives covering up to 40 percent of eligible startup costs for manufacturing fully battery-powered vehicles and 30 percent for manufacturing hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles.
There are four types of electrified vehicles.
• Battery EVs are the truly electric vehicles as they run solely on power stored in a battery, which is recharged by plugging into a power outlet.
• Hybrid EVs or HEVs are powered mainly by an internal combustion engine (ICE), which works seamlessly with a smaller electric motor and battery. This type cannot be plugged in to be recharged and relies on energy regenerated from braking or from the petroleum-fed engine for electricity.
• Plug-in HEVs have a larger battery and more powerful electric motor backed up by an ICE. This may be plugged into a power outlet for battery charging.
• Fuel cell EVs, instead of relying on power stored in a battery, generate their own electricity using hydrogen fuel which, combined with oxygen, produces water.
Each enrolled vehicle model may receive up to P15 billion in fiscal incentives. To qualify, however, car manufacturers must commit at least P5 billion in new investments and introduce their enrolled models to either the domestic or export market within three years of registration.
Rodolfo also clarified that participating manufacturers could locate within Philippine Economic Zone Authority-administered zones, although they would not be allowed to claim overlapping incentives under separate programs.
