Marcos eyes half of PH vehicles going electric by 2040

• IN PHOTO President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PCO)

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is aiming for electric vehicles (EVs) to make up half of all vehicles in the Philippines by 2040, as the government pushes for cleaner transportation and reduced dependence on petroleum.

“Mithiin natin na sa pagdating ng 2040, kalahati ng mga sasakyan natin ay EV na,” Marcos said.

Marcos noted that motorists and transport operators who shifted to hybrid and electric vehicles were less affected by increases in petroleum prices.

He said the government has encouraged the adoption of electric vehicles as part of its clean energy drive, including the removal of all tariffs on EVs until 2028 to help bring down market prices.

Government agencies have also been directed to prioritize electric vehicles when replacing units in their fleets.

“Consistent with our clean energy drive, we have encouraged the adoption of electric vehicles. We have removed all tariffs on EVs until 2028 to bring down market prices, and government has also been mandated to prioritize electric vehicles in their refleeting plans,” Marcos said.

EVs use one or more electric motors powered by rechargeable batteries instead of gasoline or diesel.

The President said the policy is also intended to support local industries across the EV value chain, particularly companies involved in vehicle assembly and the manufacturing of batteries and related spare parts.

“This clean and green policy is two-pronged: it shall also spur growth of our domestic local industries across the EV value chain, specifically those involved in the vehicle assembly and manufacturing of batteries and related spare parts,” Marcos said.

He cited electric Love Bus units and the articulated electric bus that will be used in Davao City as examples of vehicles supporting the transition.

Marcos also mentioned the M/B Dalaray, an electric ferry developed through the collaboration of the University of the Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology.

He said similar electric ferry boats could eventually be deployed for the Pasig River Ferry Service, covering the route from Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City to Escolta in Manila.

The President also sought the support of the transport industry for the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program.

“Kaya hinihiling ko ang suporta ng buong industriya upang mapaandar na natin sa lalong madaling panahon ang ating minimithing Modernisasyon ng mga Pampublikong Sasakyan. Titiyakin natin na magiging makatao, magaan, at makatarungan ang pagpapatupad nito,” Marcos said.

Electric vehicles accounted for around 10 percent of vehicle sales in the Philippines in 2025, an improvement from what the International Energy Agency described as a negligible share a year earlier.

The IEA projects that electric vehicles could account for about 45 percent of all new vehicles sold in the Philippines by 2035, if the government adopts stronger policies to support the sector.