THE Department of Energy (DOE) on Wednesday said electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the country had significantly increased in the first eight months of the year, accounting for nearly a fourth of total automobile sales, as elevated local fuel prices continued to spur demand for electrified mobility.
The DOE said at least 66,685 EVs were sold during the January-August period, more than double the previous year’s 32,701 units.It said EVs accounted for about 24.7 percent of total automobile sales during the period, which reached an estimated 270,124 vehicles.The agency said that of the total EVs sold, 20,716 were hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), 29,649 were plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and 16,320 were battery electric vehicles.The DOE added that the country’s broader EV ecosystem was expanding alongside increasing vehicle adoption.As of end-August this year, it said DOE-recognized EV models had increased to 949, up by 67 from the previous month, while registered EV charging stations nationwide had risen to 1,876.“What we are seeing is a broader range of electric mobility choices becoming available to Filipino consumers, and as adoption increases, our responsibility is to make sure that the infrastructure, policies and safety capabilities needed to support these vehicles keep pace,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said.Alongside measures to expand EV adoption and infrastructure, the DOE said that together with support from industry partners, it was also strengthening practical safety preparedness among motorists and emergency responders.The agency said these policies cover safe EV use and charging, battery care, high-voltage electrical hazards and appropriate emergency-response procedures.“The growth of electric mobility must go hand in hand with safety. Drivers need to know how to charge and operate EVs properly, while our first responders must be equipped to act safely and effectively during emergencies,” Garin said.
