The Philippines Envisioned as EV Components Regional Manufacturing Hub

At the 8th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit which was held online on September 24, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez stated that the Philippines has three key advantages in the global EV industry and these are strong electronics and electronic parts sector, mineral resources, and development of its competency in EV technology. It was said that the country can be a regional hub for the manufacturing of electric vehicle components.

“More than just locally manufacturing e-PUVs, let us envision the Philippines to be a globally competitive and innovative manufacturing hub for strategic EV parts and components like auto-electronics, charging stations, and EV batteries. The Philippines hosts 5 percent of global nickel reserves and 4 percent of global cobalt reserves. Let us make use of these valuable reserves to produce high value products such as batteries,” said Lopez. He announced that the Philippine Nickel Industry Association has partnered with the Power Battery Application Committee of China Industrial Association of Power Sources (CIAPS-PBA) to deepen the Philippine nickel industry’s participation in the global supply chain for battery production. Meanwhile, local EV manufacturer Tojo Motors has partnered with the CIAPS-PBA for the sourcing of battery cells and with Jiangsu Highstar Battery Manufacturing Company for the local assembly of EV batteries.

Just like what it did for the aerospace industry by developing higher value design engineering for aerospace parts, the country can develop its competency in EV technology.

“On our end, the government is committed in its support to enable the Philippine EV industry, especially in helping manufacturers and promoting demand. We also have the Motor Vehicle Development Program (MVDP) and Executive Order 488. Likewise, the EV industry will benefit from the government’s PUV Modernization Program and DTI-BOI’s e-Mobility Initiatives,” Lopez added.

The DTI chief envisions the country to tap the global EV market. Even though the overall car market declined by 15 percent, global sales of electric cars increased by 40 percent in 2019. The local EV industry is growing as major automobile brands and others are bringing in their EV models in the Philippine market.

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