THIS week’s edition of Mobility Matters features the Move As One Coalition’s statement regarding the inconsistent and likely unlawful treatment of light electric vehicles (LEVs) by several government agencies. It applauds the announcement of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to suspend the registration of LEVs and the licensing of LEV users as well as the decision of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to conduct a legal review of policies and regulations that are inconsistent with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (Evida).
To promote mobility and cooler, healthier and more livable cities, many governments worldwide are shifting to public transport, active transport (walking or cycling) and light electric vehicles (LEVs — e.g., e-trikes, e-bikes, electric kick scooters), which are all climate-friendly, space-efficient, health-inducing and low-cost. In fact, many cities are moving to electric cargo bikes as the “last mile” logistics solution in order to reduce road congestion. For all these good reasons, e-bikes and e-trikes are today the fastest-growing type of electric vehicle globally. In fact, the global policy prescription is to regulate such vehicles “lightly,” treating them as much as possible like bicycles so that there are few barriers to adoption.
In the Philippines, LEVs like e-trikes, e-bikes and e-scooters are the main modes of transportation for many Filipinos. LEVs provide an affordable, practical transport mode for daily commutes to school, work and home, especially for those who: (1) cannot afford or do not want to use cars that cause 60 percent of the country’s air pollution; (2) have very limited access to reliable transportation options; or (3) cannot use pedestrian- and disability-hostile transport infrastructure. In island municipalities, where buses are rare and trains, nonexistent, LEVs have become the preferred transport mode for workers, students, families and tourists alike. Persons with disability and those with diminishing physical capacity are able to remain active and mobile using e-bikes and e-trikes. Many delivery riders are switching to e-bikes and e-trikes because they can make many more deliveries and cover a larger area, enabling them to increase their daily earnings.
Over recent years, the surge in e-vehicle purchases reflects their growing role in addressing the country’s long-standing systemic transport shortage. However, despite the rise in LEV adoption and their role in alleviating transport shortages, policies enacted by Philippine government agencies often discourage and hinder LEV use, contradicting the country’s goals for sustainable and efficient transportation solutions.
On October 2, the LTO acknowledged these realities in its decision to suspend the registration of LEVs and licensing of LEV users. In an ABS-CBN interview, LTO chief Vigor Mendoza said the office was developing the road safety standards for LEVs. He added the demand of LEV users, “Baka pwedeng babaan daw kaysa 17, 16 pwede na… especially also in the provinces where there is no other form of transport. ‘Yun lang ang nakita ng mga magulang na magandang pamamaraan at tipid para sa kanilang mga anak (People asked if we could lower the registration age to 16 or 17… especially also in the provinces where there is no other form of transport, those are the only reliable and affordable transport options that parents see for their kids).” We support the LTO’s decision to reevaluate LEV policies so that the treatment of LEVs can be in line with the overall government policy of encouraging their use.
It is also time to review and revise the earlier issuances and regulations from other government agencies, such as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Energy and the DoTr. In 2024 alone, these agencies have issued unclear and contradictory policies that have restricted Filipinos’ right to mobility and transportation, creating barriers for LEV users who rely on their vehicles for everyday travel.
The Move As One Coalition, along with fellow civil society groups, have therefore been collectively demanding consistency, accountability and transparency from public officials on the treatment and regulation of light electric vehicles. The relevant agencies cannot continue to have conflicting stances on light electric vehicles; they must work together, communicate and coordinate among each other to create unified, clear and supportive policies. In fact, the President has already created an interagency body on procurement and compliance of electric vehicles (EVs), and instructed these agencies to shift 10 percent of their vehicles to EVs.
We commend the DoTr and LTO for taking steps toward clarifying LEV regulations and leading efforts to resolve these contradictions. In particular, we support the DoTr’s plan to revise the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Evida Law. The DoTr, led by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Andy Ortega, has conducted a legal review of contradictory policies and transmitted a memorandum to other agencies, urging the withdrawal of issuances that conflict with the Evida Law. These include, but are not limited to (1) LTO’s requirement for the registration of LEVs and licensing of LEV users; (2) the mandatory use of DTI-approved motorcycle helmets for LEV users; (3) the delegation of authority to enforce rules on EVs to the MMDA and local government units (LGUs). The DoTr memorandum limits the power of MMDA and LGUs to regulate EVs, as this authority was designated to DoTr under the Evida Law.
Contrary to MMDA Chairman Artes’ comment on their prohibition “because of the increasing number of accidents involving e-bikes, e-trikes and e-scooters,” e-bikes and e-trikes are light so they do not endanger other road users. Conversely, automobiles are the leading cause of road crashes that kill and maim Filipinos, the major source of traffic and harmful emissions, and the least efficient vehicle for moving people and goods. Based on MMDA data from 2019 to 2023, private cars have been involved in over 396,000 road crashes, while bikes, e-bikes, pedicabs and tricycles combined have only been involved in 26,000 crashes — meaning that there are 1,423 percent more crashes involving cars than those involving light vehicles. With the significant positive impact of LEVs and the considerable harm from private motor vehicles, the strategy should be to encourage more LEVs in cities and to discourage private car use, recognizing that only 6 percent of Filipino households own cars.
To the LTO, MMDA, DoTr, LGUs and all public officials: as your constituents, citizens, commuters and voters, we urge you to resolve the policy conflicts that have created confusion for LEV users. We look forward to working with you for a transportation system that is reliable, accessible, carbon-free and aligned with our climate goals. Light electric vehicles are a key component of sustainable transport and with consistent, clear policies, you can help pave the way for a greener, more inclusive Philippines.
Robert Y. Siy is a development economist, city and regional planner, and public transport advocate. He is a co-convenor of the Move As One Coalition. He can be reached at [email protected] or followed on Twitter at @RobertRsiy.
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