UMVA has learned that a major push to accelerate the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is underway, driven by the Department of Energy (DoE) and several other government agencies.
The DoE is working on a joint memorandum circular (JMC) with key agencies, including the departments of Interior and Local Government, Public Works and Highways, and the Anti-Red Tape Authority, to streamline the permitting process for EV charging stations. Currently, it takes an average of six months to secure the necessary permits, a significant bottleneck in the expansion of EV infrastructure.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the DoE aims to significantly ramp up the number of EV charging stations across the country. As of April, there were approximately 1,600 operational EV charging stations, with an ambitious target of 7,000 stations by 2028.
The DoE is also set to introduce the Fuel Economy Performance Rating System, designed to provide consumers with more meaningful and comparable information on vehicle fuel economy performance. This initiative is expected to promote continuous improvements in fuel efficiency across the industry.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the Philippines has seen rapid growth in electric vehicle adoption. In 2025, a total of 60,906 EVs were registered, and the government estimates that this number will surge to 312,000 by 2028. This growth reflects increasing market interest and expanding participation across the value chain.
EV sales have been surging, with a 158.9% year-on-year increase in the first four months, reaching 17,655 units. This trend underscores the strengthening enabling environment for electric mobility and the growing appeal of EVs to consumers.
