Philippines sees surge in EV demand as high fuel prices drive shift

To address the shortage, dealers are actively seeking additional vehicle allocations from overseas manufacturers. Many attended the recent Beijing International Auto Show to secure more supply. 

The Philippine government has set an ambitious target of achieving 50 per cent EV adoption on the country’s roads by 2040. To encourage the transition, authorities are offering incentives, including specialised car loans. 

LACK OF CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE 

While EVs offer lower operating costs and reduce carbon emissions, major obstacles continue to deter Filipino consumers, including high upfront purchase prices and insufficient charging infrastructure. 

Under the government’s EV roadmap, more than 7,000 charging stations are expected to be installed nationwide by 2028. Currently, only about 900 are operational.

Patrick Aquino, director of the DOE’s Energy Utilization Management Bureau, said strong private-sector interest exists. However, regulatory and accreditation requirements can delay projects by at least six months before construction can even begin.