TAGUIG CITY—The Department of Energy (DOE) is set to formalize rules for integrating electric vehicle (EV) charging stations into existing gasoline stations nationwide by 2025, aligning with the mandates of the Electric Vehicle Industry and Development Act (EVIDA).
According to Philippines News Agency, the DOE is drafting guidelines that will be released in the fourth quarter of this year, following extensive public consultations. “We’re hopeful that those regulations will come out after public consultation through the fourth quarter of this year or early next year,” Aquino said during a press briefing in Taguig City. The initiative is spurred by Section 19 of EVIDA, which requires gasoline station owners to install, operate, or maintain commercial-use charging stations on their premises.
The DOE also holds the authority to withhold construction, operation, or compliance permits from stations that do not have adequate space for charging installations. Penalties will be applied for violations of this section as outlined in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of EVIDA. Aquino noted that the scale of required charging infrastructure would vary based on the gasoline station’s size, explaining that collaborative measures with industry partners are being considered to determine appropriate requirements.
This policy is part of a broader effort to encourage EV adoption across the country by increasing the accessibility of charging facilities. In addition to the charging station guidelines, Aquino revealed that the DOE is preparing to update the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI) and finalize the draft of the Electric Vehicle Incentives Scheme (EVIS), which will be presented to the Office of the President before year-end.
Edmund Araga, president of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), highlighted at a recent press conference that the EVIS is making good progress, with a major consultation slated for this month by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). He anticipates that the Fiscal Incentive Review Board (FIRB) will approve the scheme, leading to its submission to the Office of the President. Additionally, EVAP will host the 12th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City from October 24 to 26, emphasizing a transformative shift towards cleaner and electric modes of transportation and mobility.