MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine think tank suggested on Wednesday the inclusion of two-wheeled electric vehicles in the government’s tax incentives program.
According to Stratbase Institute president Victor Manhit, the current Executive Order 12 only covers four-wheeled electric vehicles that only a few can afford.
“We commend the government’s issuance of Executive Order 12, which gives tariff incentives to importers of electric vehicles, but these have been limited to four-wheeled units which only affluent Filipinos can afford,” Manhit said.
Executive Order 12 was issued in February 2023, while National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on March 5 that it had begun discussions on the inclusion of e-motorcycles and hybrid vehicles.
Manhit added that a tariff incentive will also encourage the public to switch to e-vehicles, which will be more environmentally friendly.
“Imagine how much faster it could grow if the tariffs were done away with altogether. This will quicken the shift to e-motorcycles that will result in substantial reductions in harmful emissions from conventional combustion engines and at the same time reduce consumer dependence from expensive gasoline,” he added.
In addition, the inclusion of e-motorcycles will also boost the electric vehicle industry in the country, Manhit pointed out.
This move will usher in a societal transformation to green transportation and encourage investments that will hopefully build a thriving EV industry in the Philippines,” Manhit said.