By: Atty. Roland Collado
According to the latest survey by a global business research group, China is now the undisputed global powerhouse of electric vehicles, leading in both domestic and international sales and overall production.
Last year, Chinese brands were responsible for 62 percent of e-Vehicles global sales. Also in 2024, the sale of Chinese electric vehicles overseas has expanded to over 17 million units sold.
That said, e-Future Motors Philippines Inc , makers of China-made e-Vehicles had recently inked a Joint Venture Contract Agreement with Mindanao Daily Express Transport Cooperative (MINDEX) for the initial delivery of 50 units of e-jeepneys to service the ever growing riding public of Cagayan de Oro City.
Chinese e-Vehicle manufacturers have aggressively pursued international opportunities, offering affordable vehicles that often undercut local competitors.
According to Huize Jiang, CEO of e-Future China, market access of China-made e-Vehicles has varied significantly across regions. The U.S. and Canada are the only markets where Chinese-made e-Vehicles have no presence.
The U.S. has taken a firm stance against Chinese e-Vehicles imposing a 100 percent tariff in 2024, and recently, US President Trump had a punishing increase in tariff even to the extent of banning Chinese technology in e-Vehicles on U.S. roads.
Given its deep economic ties with the U.S., Canada followed suit with identical tariffs.
Europe has been more open to Chinese e-Vehicles but remains cautious about protecting its domestic automotive industry.
In 2024, following an anti-subsidy investigation, the EU introduced variable e-Vehicle import tariffs on specific Chinese automakers of up to an additional 35 percent.
In contrast, countries like the Philippines without a strong domestic auto industry, Chinese e-Vehicles have rapidly gained market share.
In fact, the country’s public transport modernization program has become a magnet for China-made e-Vehicles.
This is also evident in neighboring Asian countries, and in South and Central America, where Chinese manufacturers are expanding aggressively by beginning to build production capacity and capitalizing on the demand for e-Vehicles.
Transport cooperatives attending the 1st Mindanao Public Transport Summit held March 7, 2025 at the posh Xavier Estates Clubhouse in Uptown Cagayan de Oro were unanimous in promoting the use of e-Vehicles in support of the government’s transport modernization program.
Since I started this column, I advocated the use of e-Vehicles because there is an urgent need to improve air quality in our roads and streets.
The use of e-Vehicles emit no carbon emissions during operation, reducing air pollution significantly.
In addition to reducing air pollution, e-Vehicles reduce noise pollution as they are significantly quieter than conventional vehicles.
Republic Act 11687, or the Electric Industry Development Act (EVIDA), mandates the use of e-Vehicles in the transport fleets of public transport operators including government and corporate entities. Local government units are also given additional powers and functions by the EVIDA towards electric vehicle adoption.
To catch up with the emerging use of e- Vehicles globally, the government’s roadmap had set a 50 percent e-Vehicle fleet share by 2040.
In the short term (2023 to 2028), the target is to have 2.45 million electric vehicles (cars, tricycles, motorcycles, buses, and public utility vehicles) by 2028.
In Korea and China, according to BK Shin, the CEO of e-Future Motors PH Inc, e-Vehicles dominate their roads and city streets, compliant to the UN call to contribute significantly to SDG 7, which is focused on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
By transitioning from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to e-Vehicles, we can significantly reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
