Electric vehicle group backs incentives for e-motorcycles

The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) has expressed support for the giving of incentives for electric motorcycles along with their localized production in the future.

According to EVAP President Edmund Araga, giving incentives to e-motorcycles should be welcomed as it would help with the “electrification” of Philippine transportation.

It will be welcome on our part kung bibigyan din sila [e-motorcycles] kung mabibigyan din sila ng exception. Kasi sa ngayon, wala pa talagang legit na makakagawa sa amin ng e-motorcycles, in particular. And that this would be a good opportunity...kung sakaling ipu-push ang e-motorcycles," Araga said in a press release.

"Kung mag-iimport sila [dapat] mayroong direksyon o directives na maglo-localize sila in a number of years after importing the units para magkaroon naman ng job creations and the capabilities of Filipino craftmanship and skills, ma-enhance," Araga said.

Araga made the response when asked about the statement of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regarding EVAP's request to retain the tariff for e-jeepneys and e-tricycles.

He affirmed the request of the group but he noted that e-motorcycles are not included as there is no local producers of them yet.

To recall, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. earlier issued Executive Order No. 12, which temporarily modifies the rates of import duty on electric vehicles, parts, and components.

Araga said he also supports this move as motorcycles are the primary choice of transport among Filipinos because they are cheaper than four-wheeled vehicles.

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual expressed support for the temporary removal of import tariffs for electric vehicles for a five-year period.

According to Pascual, the DTI initially proposed the tariff removal with the aim of encouraging Filipinos to shift to electric vehicles as well as to bring down their prices.

Meanwhile, the EO 12  will have a review and possible amendments by February 2024 led by the National Economic Development Authority. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA Integrated News