Bill amending Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act filed

A proposed bill seeking to amend the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) was filed at the House of Representatives on Monday. 

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda filed proposed House Bill (HB) No. 9573, which seeks to revamp the tax and duty treatment of electric vehicles (EV) in the country. 

According to Salceda, the proposed measure will align the Philippines with its commitments to the international community under the Paris Agreement and reduce the nation's reliance on fossil fuels. 

It will also include a redefinition of EVs to explicitly include two-wheeled vehicles, which the lawmaker said comprise 60% of EVs in the Philippines. 

"While the EVIDA has successfully propelled a six-fold increase in electric car sales in 2023 compared to 2022, limitations in the law have excluded two-wheeled electric vehicles from crucial fiscal incentives," the lawmaker from Bicol said. 

In March 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) said it is eyeing to boost the share of EVs in the country beyond the mandated 5% mandatory share of EVs in public and private sector fleets as it works on the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle (EV) Industry (CREVI), which will provide the time frame for the mandate.—RF, GMA Integrated News