Tesla's entry in PH signals more environment-friendly transpo system

Manila Bulletin

The entry of multinational automotive firm Tesla into the Philippines is a step forward to the country's long-term goal towards an environmentally-friendly transportation system, President Marcos said.  READ: https://mb.com.ph/2025/1/20/tesla-s-entry-in-ph-signals-more-environment-friendly-transpo-system  Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin  Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin  #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Transcript

00:00While it is true that electric vehicles are currently seen as premium products,

00:06Tesla's entry into the Philippines marks signals much more than high-tech cars on the road.

00:12It is a step, a very significant step forward to our long-term transformation towards a more

00:19environmentally friendly transportation system. The government understands that transitioning

00:26to electric vehicles is a complex journey, one that requires vision and a great deal of strong

00:36and committed concrete action to make it practical, inclusive, and impactful for every Filipino.

00:44And this is why we have adopted and pursued strategic measures that reflect

00:49our commitment to enhancing sustainable transportation while meeting the needs of

00:55our communities. Under the Tax Reform for Acceleration, Inclusion, or TRAIN Act,

01:03excise taxes on battery electric vehicles have been removed, making these advanced

01:10technologies more competitive than other traditional options. The Electrical Vehicle

01:17Industry Development Act, or EVIDA, offers duty-free importation for charging stations,

01:23lower user fees for EV owners, and prioritized registration and traffic privileges. To reinforce

01:31these laws, we introduced additional measures to even concretize our commitment to clean energy.

01:39Anchored on EVIDA, the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electrical Vehicle Industry

01:45aims to achieve a 50% electrical vehicle market share in the Philippines by 2040

01:54under a clean energy scenario. I have also issued Executive Order No. 62 under which

02:00the tariff levels on four-wheel and motorcycle EVs, whether pure electric or hybrid, are reduced to

02:09zero until 2028. Tesla's decision to invest in the Philippines is a recognition of our nation's

02:18potential, underpinned by forward-thinking policies and a collective determination to innovate.

02:27As Tesla lays the groundwork, and as we invest in infrastructure and implement policies supporting

02:32the industry, competition will grow. Then, what may seem as aspirational today,

02:39half of the vehicles in our streets as EVs will become attainable tomorrow.

02:45More than helping environmental sustainability, Tesla also empowers our workforce. Every hire

02:53represents an investment in the Filipino talent that will drive this transition forward.

03:00With plans to expand further, Tesla is building a generation of Filipinos equipped to lead

03:06in the global shift towards sustainable technologies such as these. It is our fervent

03:12hope that Tesla might one day choose to manufacture its vehicles in the Philippines.

03:18Just last September, we inaugurated a state-of-the-art facility that produces

03:23advanced iron-phosphate batteries, an essential component in electric vehicles.

03:29With a more conducive and empowering environment now taking shape for the EV industry,

03:36I am very optimistic that more companies will seize the opportunity to drive

03:41this very vital sector in the coming years. Let me also highlight that Tesla's entry into

03:48the country will encourage local innovation and drive new investments in the EV sector.

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