EVs and Chinese brands are reshaping Philippine mobility

The deluge of motorcycles that started more than a decade ago may have changed the appearance of our streets, but if you look around today, you will not fail to notice something new. We are witnessing a transformative shift in our transportation landscape. Electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids are increasingly populating our streets, driven by government initiatives, rising environmental awareness, and the entry of relatively affordable, high quality models— many of which are made in China. This trend reflects global and local efforts to embrace sustainable mobility while highlighting the growing influence of Chinese automakers in the Philippine market.

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Established players from Japan, Korea, North America, and Europe dominated the global automotive landscape for decades. These were the names we knew, the brands we aspired to own. However, the shift toward electrification has created a unique opportunity, a blank slate upon which new contenders are rapidly making their mark. China is leading this change.

From just 4,213 units sold in 2022, the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) expects to sell 6.6 million e-vehicles by 2030. The signing of Executive Order No. 12 is driving the growth in e-vehicle adoption because it modifies the tariffs for certain EV types and their parts and components. Others go to 13 components like the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) or RA 11697, which mandates the development of the local EV industry.

The shift toward electric mobility aligns with the country’s broader environmental targets, such as reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent by 2030 as part of its commitments under the Paris Agreement. The use of EVs will play a critical role in achieving this goal.