According to Choi, since the Philippines has various congestion issues and burning fossil fuel as its main source of power, the transition will not be immediately mainstreamed and will be based on the desire of the people to use e-vehicles.
Earlier this year, Executive Order No. 12 series of 2023 was issued which aims to lower the tariff rates of electric vehicles to mainstream its usage in the country and help mitigate the impacts of climate change. “More people demand this change. I think there’s gonna be a greater change in the fossil fuel industry as well. So I think it’s very vital that this change happens. I think it’s gonna happen,” the beauty queen added.
However, under EO 12, electric motorcycles and other two-wheel electric vehicles are still subject to 30 percent import duty.Calls to make the import tax break inclusive by amending EO 12 with the inclusion of two and three-wheeled EVs are gaining ground from industry stakeholders and clean-air advocates alike.