Press Release
May 28, 2011

ANGARA URGES GOVT TO PURSUE EV STANDARDS, INCENTIVES

Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged the government to fast track the development of a national electric vehicle industry by providing incentives for electric and hybrid car manufacturers and importers, as well as adopting an e-vehicle standards.

Angara, chair of the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), said that the government needs to support the nascent industry, which encourages local innovation and promotes eco-friendly transportation.

Angara noted that COMSTE has been working closely with the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) to draw up a policy framework that guide the development of the industry.

The EVAP has asked the government to adopt e-vehicles for use in public transport and to create strict industry standards. The group also stated that completely built units (hybrid and e-vehicles) and imported parts and components that cannot be manufactured locally should be Duty-Free, Excise and VAT exempt upon importation.

COMSTE has identified the development of electric vehicles and green transport as one of its priority projects for 2011.

The green transport model will tap e-vehicles that will be powered by electricity generated from biomass. The system has the potential to be one of the most eco-friendly in the world.

Angara said that innovative Green transport systems such as electric tricycles, hybrid jeepneys, buses and electric bicycles will lessen pollution and wean the country away from fossil-fuel dependency.

"We import roughly 96% of our petroleum, the majority of which is consumed by the growing transport sector. The same sector accounts for the biggest share of the energy use, nearly 40%," said Angara.

"It has long been one of the goals of the government to become energy independent. I believe that this can be achieved by promoting innovative projects that can reduce our foreign dependence on fuel and at the same time create less-polluted, environmentally friendly cities," noted Angara

Angara referred to a recent ADB study showing that Metro Manila ranks high among the megacities of Asia with air quality problems. The level of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in Metro Manila is more than double the standard of the World Health Organization. The DENR has also identified that 70% of air pollution in Metro Manila come from motor vehicles.

"We clearly need cleaner modes of transport," Angara said.

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