SEIPI BACKS HYBRIDS FOR GREEN TRANSPORT

The Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (Seipi) is backing hybrid vehicles as an option in the shift to more environment-friendly transportation, citing the lack of charging stations for electric vehicles (EV).

Seipi President Danilo Lachica on Tuesday said that while both EVs and hybrids offered opportunities for the electronics industry, the latter appeared to be more suited for the domestic market.

"For EVs and even hybrids, you probably have over 90 percent of the components in electronics, so yes, it does open opportunities," Lachica said.

"But the thing is, until we have the infrastructure for EVs like more charging stations, fast charging stations, personally, I'd rather go with hybrid first," he added.

The government, which is pushing for the adoption of EVs via the provision of lower tariffs, is currently reviewing an expansion of the list of qualified vehicle types. Executive Order 12, which also sets lower tariffs for EV components, currently does not include electric motorcycles.

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual on Monday said that they were considering arguments to expand the list.

Lachica said that reducing tariff exemption for EVs "would be the way to go."

For widespread adoption, he added, there must be enough fast charging stations, particularly for commercial vehicles such as jeepneys and buses. "You can't convince the jeepney drivers or even the bus drivers to wait 10 hours to charge an EV," he said.

Pascual, meanwhile, reiterated that the purpose of the lower tariffs was to raise the number of cars with electric motors and consequently encourage the establishment of charging stations.

"The charging station will only be set up if there are enough EVs that will patronize the charging station," he said.

"Now, if we are going to broaden our scope of aspiration, there might be some areas [for such], but I cannot speculate now because this is committee work."

2024-05-01T16:36:02Z dg43tfdfdgfd