EVAP, DTI meet with MOTIE of Korea

Representatives of Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines headed by its chairman Ferdi Raquelsantos, president Rommel T. Juan and VP Edmund Araga together with high-level Department of Trade and Industry officials Usec. Perry Rodolfo, Board of Investments Executive Director Corieh Dichosa, Asec. Fita Aldaba and Commercial Counselor Jojie Dinsay met with representatives of the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) recently in Seoul, Korea.

At the top of the agenda was how Korea, being more advanced in EV technology, can support the Philippines in its EV industry given that the current ongoing PUV Modernization Program of the government is looking at electric jeepneys as one option for the modernization and upgrading of our old, dilapidated PUVs. These PUVs are mostly made using surplus diesel engines and other used parts and components from Japan.

The PUV Modernization Program of the Department of Transportation and the DTI is aimed at upgrading some 200,000 PUVs over the next six years that are more than the maximum allowable 15 years of age. They are intended to be replaced with the modern PUVs that are powered by either brand-new Euro 4 compliant diesel engines or electric motors. Considering its current manufacturing capability and state of the domestic EV industry, EVAP is targeting only about 10% of this volume or 20,000 units over the next six years.

Points that were discussed were the safety and quality control systems of Korea that we could possibly adapt, the EV Industry in the Philippines, the EV policies of the Philippines and a discussion on how the two countries can possibly collaborate to achieve the goals of PUV Modernization Program of the Philippines within the Duterte administration. The Philippines also suggested cooperation with Korea in the joint conduct of a market feasibility study on EV to include safety standards, regulations, and financing.

EVAP President Juan said that EVAP is glad to be able to do an in-depth discussion with MOTIE. “We know that our government is very supportive of this sunrise industry and we just need reliable EV technology, parts and components to use in the PUVM Program of the government. These are things that Korea has”.

Usec. Rodolfo led the Philippine side at the discussions while Asec. Aldaba presented the current state of the EV industry in the Philippines amidst the phenomenal economic boom that the country is experiencing right now. The Philippines continues to maintain its GDP growth of 6.8% and has invested heavily in its Build! Build! Build! Program to improve its infrastructure to support and sustain the economic performance.