The Department of Trade and Industry on Wednesday proposed to cut the duties on imported electric vehicles to 0 from 30 percent as part of efforts to significantly reduce crude oil dependence in the light of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the government should democratize access to cars of the future like e-vehicles to promote its expanded use in the Philippines.
“We have to populate these vehicles so people may have options to using non-oil based transport. It think its about time we try to use vehicles that do not run on gas or diesel,” he said.
Lopez said while this plan of action may not happen overnight, it would send feelers to vehicle dealers to start the importation of these vehicles and for car companies to bring more sustainable cars to the Philippines.
“We are planning to allow more e-vehicle importation and side by side with this is the expansion of more charging sites to support the e-vehicle ecosystem,” he said.