Electric Vehicles Ecozones Eyed

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is considering the establishment of economic zones dedicated to the manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs), including their parts and components.

DTI Philippines will collaborate with investment promotion agencies responsible for ecozones, such as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

DTI Undersecretary for Innovation and Competitiveness Group, Rafaelita Aldaba, mentioned that these ecozones can accommodate all manufacturing activities related to the e-vehicle sector, reducing logistics costs for the industry.

The agency will collaborate with investment promotion agencies responsible for ecozones, such as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

She emphasized that companies are more encouraged to locate their projects within ecozones as they provide one-stop-shop services to investors, simplifying business operations in the country.

"Having an EV cluster within an ecozone is a good idea," Usec Aldaba stated at the 11th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit in Pasay City over the weekend, adding that this could make e-vehicle prices competitive with internal combustion engine vehicles.

She explained that this initiative is part of the Electric Vehicle Incentives Scheme (EVIS) drafted by the DTI to stimulate local production of e-vehicles and EV parts and components.

"Incentives could be an attractive feature to encourage more developers and manufacturers in the country," Aldaba said.

The government plans to incentivize the production of four million EV units, including two-wheelers, e-trikes, e-PUVs (public utility vehicles), and e-buses over the next ten years as part of the EV incentives scheme to develop the EV industry in the country.

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