Automotive technologies are continuously advancing – rapidly, transforming the transportation landscape and our relationship with cars. Electric vehicles (EVs), self-driving cars, and connected cars are among the most notable technologies emerging today, with the potential to revolutionize the way we drive, think about cars, and even interact with the world around us.
EVs offer a number of advantages over traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, including lower emissions, reduced operating costs, and a quieter ride. As EV technology continues to mature, EVs are becoming more affordable and accessible, with a wider range of models to choose from.
On the other hand, self-driving cars are still in their early stages of development, but they have the potential to revolutionize transportation by improving safety and efficiency, and freeing up our time for other activities while on the go. Self-driving cars rely on a variety of sensors, including cameras, radar, and lidar, to perceive their surroundings and make decisions about how to navigate.
Additionally, ‘connected car’ applications have started to gain traction in the automotive world when it comes to providing convenience, variety, and additional spectacle into owning your car and traversing roads. Making use of internet access to communicate with your own or other vehicles, infrastructure, and pedestrians, this connectivity can be used to improve safety and efficiency, as well as to provide new features and services to drivers and passengers.
The reception to these innovations today has been generally positive. Consumers are excited about the new features and benefits that these technologies offer. However, there are also some concerns about safety, privacy, and cost. For example, some people are worried about the safety of self-driving cars, while others are concerned about the privacy implications of connected cars. Additionally, some people are simply concerned about the cost of these new technologies and the potential reliability issues in the long run. Yet despite these challenges, the potential benefits of automotive technologies are vast.
The industry is always in the middle of a rapidly evolving field, with the potential to revolutionize the way we drive and live as each day goes by. As these technologies continue to develop, so should our reception towards it – to ensure that they are adopted in a responsible and equitable way.
As a country with a rapidly growing economy and a rising middle class, the demand for vehicles in the Philippines is increasing – especially after the recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak. And with numerous new vehicle models entering the local market, we just can’t help but spark interest in all of them.
Yet, is the Philippines REALLY ready for these automotive technologies? The answer is complex. On the one hand, the Philippines has a number of factors in its favor. We have a young and tech-savvy population, and an aggressive infrastructure plan, including a growing network expansion of roads and highways.
However, emphasizing the term ‘aggressive infrastructure plan’ goes to show we are still in the works to fully accommodate the option to make progressively modernizing mobility mainstream.
Specifically focusing on shifting to the ‘EV route’, it is quite safe to say that we are not fully ready – yet. As of writing, there are approximately 900 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) in the country, but only 338 are registered with the government. Among these, 258 are Alternating Current chargers, 59 are Direct Current chargers, and 21 are battery swapping stations.
Another challenge is still the high cost of EV and HEV ownership. Maintaining such vehicles is generally more expensive than our ICE cars. Although with these prices starting to come down as technology improves, the upfront costs can still serve as a massive hurdle for Filipino consumers.
Focusing on bringing forth self-driving vehicles in the country, our road and traffic system just doesn’t seem to be safe enough yet – this is self-explanatory.
Despite these challenges, there are a number of reasons to believe that the Philippines is bound to be ready in terms of aligning with today’s automotive technologies. The country has a young and growing population, and many Filipinos are interested in ‘what’s new’. And to cite some of the actions being taken to complement this desire, the Department of Transportation has launched a program to test self-driving cars in public areas. In addition, a number of private companies have already launched connected car services, such as real-time traffic updates and parking reservations, among others.
Additionally, the Philippines has a strong renewable energy sector, which can provide clean and sustainable electricity to power EVs and HEVs.
Standing by their implementation of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) Law, the Philippine government has emphasized its commitment in promoting the use of EVs and HEVs. Speaking during the launching of a foreign-owned vehicle manufacturing company, President Ferdinand Marcos assured the government’s support in modernizing the transport sector to bring safe, modern and comfortable transportation to the masses without depending on fossil fuels.
The Chief Executive said that through the implementation of several measures and incentives, the Philippines is inching toward the shift to EVs. These measures include the growth of EVs on the road to 10 percent and hopefully to 50 percent by 2024 and the better practice of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program, where beneficiaries are entitled to special loan facilities and equity subsidies for the acquisition of electric vehicles.
Another initiative of the government is providing incentives to EV owners, such as prioritization in the registration and renewal of registration of vehicles at the Land Transportation Office and exemption from the coding schemes. Lastly, the administration is encouraging the private sector to invest in the manufacturing of EVs in the country.
President Marcos is confident that the public would welcome the nation’s transition to a greener transportation sector as part of the country’s effort to fulfill its commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement.
In addition, various private companies are also investing in the EV and HEV market in the Philippines. For example, the Ayala Group has partnered with BMW to establish a network of fast-charging stations across the country. Additionally, a number of local startups are developing and manufacturing their own EVs and HEVs.
Overall, we are still in the early stages of adopting such mobility modernizations, but there is a growing interest in these technologies from both consumers and the government. With the continued support of all sectors, the Philippines definitely has the potential to become a mobility leader in the region. However, it is important to note that the adoption of automotive technologies is not just about cars, for it is about ‘Upshifting’ the transportation system as a whole as well.
