THE biggest annual gathering of electric vehicle enthusiasts and stakeholders, the 12th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, opened yesterday, October 24, and will run until October 26, 2024 at SMX Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
Led by the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), also present were industry leaders BYD, the Department of Energy, DONGFENG, Hyundai, Nissan, and VinFast as its major partners.
With the theme “Spark Change, Drive Electric,” the summit aims to bring thought leaders, EV manufacturers, and curious individuals together and drive forward the conversation on the future of electric vehicles in the Philippines.
Open for free to the general public, one of the main topics of the summit is the 4-part EV Training Series that focused on safety and caters to engineers, technicians, and even firefighters. In addition, the three-day expo will showcase the biggest and best brands in the local EV market that will highlight their latest electric vehicle models and technologies, offering visitors the opportunity to learn and experience cutting-edge EV advancements firsthand.
Attendees will also have the unique opportunity to test drive EVs. Those interested in driving the latest models need to bring a valid driver’s license to sign up. The opportunity to get hands-on experience will allow participants to feel the difference of driving electric cars – a major step to help them consider to shift to electric mobility. The event also hopes to generate interest among Filipinos to adopt cleaner and more sustainable modes of transportation.
Today, October 25, the ASEAN Federation of Electric Vehicle Associations (AFEVA) held a public policy dialogue that gathered members and talked about the future of electric mobility in the region, exchanged ideas about how to address challenges, and set goals for expanding electric vehicle adoption throughout Southeast Asia.
The summit will also include presentations and discussions aimed at students to spark interest in electric vehicles among the younger people, particularly Gen Z and Alpha Gen. The event hopes to inspire future engineers, policymakers, and advocates to be part of the solution in addressing climate change and urban pollution.
“Rain or shine, the revolutionary EV summit will go on,” said EVAP President Edmund Araga. He emphasized that the event is all about inspiring change and driving the shift toward electric mobility. The summit’s theme reflects this commitment to a sustainable future and also highlights the importance of making electric vehicles a mainstream option for Filipino consumers.
According to Araga, EVAP is committed to monitor and further push for the implementation of every important aspect of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act or EVIDA Law. “EVAP reiterates that we still have a long way to go to achieve the industry goal of selling 2.45 million EVs and opening up to 65,000 EV charging stations nationwide by 2028. We continue to uphold our unwavering support for the Department of Energy’s Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle or CREVI.” This roadmap, he said, is essential in establishing the infrastructure and policy support needed for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles in the Philippines.