Acting on rising consumer demand for electric vehicles (EVs), the Senate is on track to pass the Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Act, seen to perk up more affordable transport means as alternative to traditional gas-powered vehicles.
This, as Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, its principal proponent, expects its early enactment into law to transform the entire automotive industry once the proposed Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Act is signed into law.
Gatchalian projects that timely passage of Senate Bill 1382 will lessen the transport sector’s dependence on imported crude supply, seeing it as “a sustainability solution” that will also be beneficial to the environment as it will have zero gas emission.
The senator clarified that “the overarching objective of the bill is for energy security because we import almost 100 percent of our crude to supply our vehicles.”
He added: “As we all know, motor vehicles pollute our streets and the use of e-vehicles will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Gatchalian pointed out that “this is also aimed at expanding the country’s manufacturing sector because what is incorporated in the bill is not only the promotion of the use of EVs but also the development of the EV industry, not just the vehicle itself but the whole ecosystem as it includes the charging stations, batteries, other parts and components.”
Gatchalian explained that SB 1382 provides for a national energy policy and regulatory framework for the use of EVs and the establishment of electric charging stations.
“Under the bill, all public and private buildings constructed after the enactment of the measure shall be required to have dedicated parking slots for the exclusive use of EVs and these will double as charging stations to further widen the nationwide network of charging stations,” he said, adding that large industrial and commercial companies, public transport operators and government agencies and instrumentalities will also be required to adopt a minimum 5-percent share of EVs within their respective fleets, while local government units (LGUs) are also tasked to create green routes for electrified public utility vehicle fleets. Gasoline stations will also be required to install charging stations.
He projected that the high cost of EVs will eventually be at parity with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles as fiscal and non-fiscal incentives are provided for the importation, utilization and manufacture of EVs in the country, adding that the bill will also ensure an expedited registration procedures for EV users, Gatchalian said.
“The pandemic heightened our environmental awareness with fewer vehicles on the road as pollution has not been as bad compared to pre-pandemic scenarios. The higher number of EVs could also reduce our oil consumption by as much as 146.56 million barrels per year which is equivalent to an annual savings of $9.8 billion or P390 billion per year,” Gatchalian said.