Philippine Senator Win Gatchalian. (Photo for Cleantechnica by author)
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The Philippines may hold one of the world’s largest nickel reserves — a critical ingredient in electric vehicle batteries — but EVs still account for only about 1 percent of vehicles on its roads.
That contradiction now sits at the center of the country’s transportation debate as lawmakers push for more aggressive policies to accelerate electrification in one of Southeast Asia’s most oil-dependent economies.
Speaking during The Manila Times Automotive Forum in Manila, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called for stronger implementation of the Philippines’ Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), arguing that the country needs to move beyond tax incentives and begin building a more comprehensive ecosystem for EV adoption.
