E-Mobility ASAP (Accelerating the adoption and scale-up of electric mobility for low-carbon city development in the Philippines)
Project Background
The “Accelerating the adoption and scale-up of electric mobility for low-carbon city development in the Philippines” or “e-mobility ASAP Project” is an initiative under the Global Programme to Support Countries with the Shift to Electric Mobility, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This project, implemented in the Philippines by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Board of Investments (BOI), aims to reduce GHG emissions from transport in the Philippines through e-mobility industry development. The project employs a dual-strategy approach to advance e-mobility, supporting both local manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and its subsequent adoption.
The Clean Air Asia-led consortium, comprised of De La Salle University (DLSU), the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), and the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative (UEMI), was commissioned by the UNIDO, DTI, and BOI to execute the project from 01 September 2023 to 30 June 2027.
Project Objectives
The project supports the DTI and the BOI in developing the EV Incentive Strategy (EVIS) to jumpstart local EV manufacturing. The EVIS aims to narrow the cost gap between EVs and traditional motor vehicles to enable the shift of the local traditional motor industry to EVs, establish guidelines for fiscal and non-fiscal support, and set local production targets.
To drive market adoption, the project support the deployment of electric public utility vehicles (ePUVs) on urban routes and electric two-wheelers in logistics to demonstrate performance and increased economic viability. The project also supports various initiatives in electrification of public transport, establishment of charging stations in strategic locations, and development of frameworks towards human resource development, technical regulations, monitoring and evaluation, and scale-up of the EV industry in the Philippines. These real-world test cases will inform the development of an EV adoption framework to guide the Philippine Government, Local Government Units, and private stakeholders in integrating electrification into urban mobility.
Project Interventions:
The e-mobility ASAP Project implements a range of strategic interventions to accelerate the shift to electric mobility in the Philippines. These efforts aim to build a strong policy foundation, mobilize climate finance, and support inclusive, on-the-ground deployment of electric vehicles:
EV Incentive Strategy (EVIS) Policy Development
The Project supports the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Board of Investments (BOI) in crafting the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy. This policy is designed to encourage investment in EV manufacturing, infrastructure, and adoption, creating a robust and enabling environment for industry growth.
EV Industry Supply Chain Analyses
To strengthen local industry participation, the Project conducts in-depth analyses of the EV value chain. This identifies key players and opportunities for local sourcing and production of EV parts and components.
Development of Technical Regulations
The Project supports the establishment of clear technical regulations to ensure the safety, performance, and reliability of electric vehicles (EVs) and electric vehicle charging systems (EVCS), fostering greater consumer confidence. It is also exploring the groundwork for setting up an EV testing and certification facility in the Philippines, which would strengthen regulatory oversight and support local industry compliance with emerging standards.
EV Deployment
The project will deploy electric public utility vehicles (ePUVs) on selected urban routes to showcase their efficacy over internal combustion engine (ICE) PUVs and validate their business viability. Insights from the deployments will support the long-term transition to electrified transport. Additionally, the project will support local governments and ecozones in integrating e-mobility into transport planning and launch deployment programs for electric two- and three-wheelers in logistics and commercial sectors to accelerate e-mobility adoption
EV Human Resource Roadmap Development
In partnership with industry and academic institutions, the Project is mapping workforce needs and formulating a roadmap to develop a future-ready talent pipeline for the EV sector.
Climate Finance for Transport
The Project is working with LANDBANK and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to develop a Green Climate Fund (GCF) concept note that will unlock climate financing for EV deployment and infrastructure investments.
Gender-Responsive Capacity Building
A cross-cutting focus of the Project is empowering women and marginalized groups through targeted skills training, stakeholder engagement, and gender mainstreaming across all activities.
