Groups: Gov't must support introduction of e-vehicles through policy-making, power generation

While acknowledging the importance of electric vehicles in addressing climate-related issues, environmental groups on Thursday said its introduction to public needs support from the government in terms of power generation and policy-making.

The Climate Reality Project (TCRP) Philippines and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) said the Philippine government should ensure the transition to renewable energy and enable public infrastructure for people's mobility.

"The shift to electric vehicles is vital in addressing the prevailing climate crisis. However, electrification is only ideal when the source of electrification is renewable energy; and when we can provide affordable, stable, and flexible electricity rates for every Filipino household," Nazrin Camille Castro, TCRP branch manager, said in a press statement.

The groups' statement was issued a day after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. pointed out the need to "look properly at what the real timetable is for the introduction of electric vehicles."

In January, Marcos also signed Executive Order No. 12  which temporarily modifies the rates of import duty on electric vehicles, parts, and components.

The EO is expected "to support the transition to emerging technologies, and encourage consumers to consider electric vehicles as a cleaner and greener transportation option."

Citing information from the Statista, the groups said the power production in the Philippines is still dominated by coal at 47.6%, followed by other fossils at 18%, and gas at 10.7%, which totals 76.3%.

Castro said the renewable energy transition could be accelerated "by ending policies that allow fossil fuel companies to pass the higher costs of imported coal on to the consumers and create an enabling environment for more renewable energy producers."

"We need to approach electrification of vehicles not just through market incentives, but address vital points where electric vehicles’ potential can really address hardworking commuters’ needs which include secure, flexible, reliable, and affordable energy via renewables; and systematically address congestion by enabling public infrastructure for people's mobility, not cars," she said.

She added that the country should also fix its car-centric infrastructure, which makes up 80% of road spaces by making it sustainable and climate-friendly by creating more bike lanes, walkways, and green spaces.—Anna Felicia Bajo/AOL, GMA Integrated News