MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is looking into the possible mandatory registration of electric vehicles (e-vehicles) running at less than 25 kilometers per hour (kph).
Vehicles running at less than 25 kph are currently not required to register with the LTO.
“We’re coming up with a proposal—hindi pa ito tapos no—pero kasi kahit less than 25 kph ‘yan, kung tumatakbo ‘yan sa Edsa at ang sumasakay ay high school student, mahirap yata ‘yun, kailangan ng lisensya,” LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said in a press conference.
(We’re coming up with a proposal—this isn’t finalized yet—but even if the electric vehicle is slower than 25 kph, if it’s running along Edsa and the passenger is a high school student, it’s a tough situation, a license might be needed.)
“So we’re coming up with the proposal that regardless of the speed of the vehicle eh kailangan, once you go to the public road, and that is supported mayroon naman tayong batas…kailangan rehistrado sa LTO (we have laws, it should be registered with the LTO),” added Mendoza.
Coordinating with LGUs, MMDA
Mendoza also mentioned that the LTO would like to coordinate with local government units that impose ordinances on e-vehicles.
He added that the LTO also requested a meeting with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to discuss the matter.
Based on the data provided by the MMDA to reporters, there were a total of 281 cases of property damage reported in Metro Manila due to e-bikes in 2023.
Furthermore, the region logged 273 non-fatal injuries during the same year, with two fatalities recorded.
‘No registration, no travel’
During the same conference, Mendoza once again reminded motorists of the stricter implementation of the “No registration, no travel” policy.
The rule imposes a P10,000 fine for motorists on the road with unregistered vehicles.
Based on the LTO’s data as of November 2023, there are about 24.7 million, or 65 percent, unregistered motor vehicles nationwide.