Zero tariffs drive demand for electric vehicles

More electrified vehicles are expected to be seen on the road as sales of these are likely to continue to pick up amid the government’s move to bring down tariffs and the introduction of more EV types and variants, according to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI).

- LOUELLA DESIDERIO

In an interview with reporters, CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said the group expects sales of electrified vehicles to continue to increase this year.

He said electrified vehicles covering hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles accounted for around four percent of the total motor vehicle sales of the CAMPI as of the first semester.

Combined sales of CAMPI and the Truck Manufacturers Association rose by 11.8 percent to 226,279 units in the first semester of this year from 202,415 units in the same period last year.

While the group expects the sales of electrified vehicles to continue to pick up, he said its share in total vehicle sales is unlikely to reach 10 percent this year as demand for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is also still increasing.