Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Mall goers check out the Tesla vehicles on display at a Taguig City mall on November 8, 2024 during the brand's launch in the country. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175990901446420241108-tesla-launch-taguig-JC-21.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Mall goers check out the Tesla vehicles on display at a Taguig City mall on November 8, 2024 during the brand&#x27;s launch in the country. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) on Wednesday clarified that its earlier call for electric vehicle (EV) owners to present certification from the Department of Energy (DOE) was directed specifically at individuals illegally using green plates to evade the number coding scheme.</p><p>HPG Acting Director Police Colonel Hansel Marantan apologized for the confusion caused by his previous remarks, stressing that legitimate EV owners should not worry if their vehicles are properly recognized by the DOE.</p><p>“Firstly, mag-aapologize po ako sa inyo if I caused you pain and inconvenience doon sa statement ko. That&#x27;s not the intention,” Marantan said.</p><p>“I am referring to those owners of motor vehicles sporting green plates that are not supposed to use that because it&#x27;s illegal. Illegal in the sense that they are not listed from the DOE list,” he added.</p><p>According to Marantan, some vehicle owners have falsely labeled their cars as electric or hybrid to benefit from the number coding exemption granted under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA).</p><p>“We received reports already na may mga motor vehicles, they put hybrid kahit hindi naman hybrid ‘yung mga sasakyan nila. Kaya, it&#x27;s a good thing na it was brought into our consciousness that there&#x27;s such thing at mapigilan itong owners of motor vehicle taking advantage of it,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2025/9/11/energy-dept-eyes-clearer-electric-vehicle-classification-with-new-guidelines-1522">Energy dept eyes clearer electric vehicle classification with new guidelines</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>PENALTY</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Marantan said the number of violators is still manageable, but could become alarming if not addressed immediately.</p><p>He warned that those caught using unauthorized green plates may face penalties.</p><p>“Habang nakikinig kayo sakin ngayon, meron pa kayong pagkakataon na ibalik niyo na ‘yung dating plaka ninyo to avoid inconvenience in the streets,” he said.</p><p>“Pwede silang ma-summon and the LTO may file case against them. Ire-refer pa rin namin sa LTO pa rin ‘yan,” he added.</p><p>The DOE, in a separate advisory, explained that certification is necessary to determine which vehicles are entitled to the privileges provided under the EVIDA Law.</p><p>“This exemption is valid for eight years from the Acts implementation and applies to all electric vehicles,” the statement read.</p><p>The DOE maintains an official list of recognized EV models on the<a href="http://www.evindustry.ph"> EV Industry Portal</a>, which is used by law enforcement agencies to validate claims of exemption.</p><p>While some motorists may assume that simply having a green plate automatically qualifies them for exemption, authorities emphasize that registration with the DOE is the first requirement.</p><p>“Hindi ‘yan guarantee na electric powered motor vehicle ka at meron kang green plate that you will not be apprehended anymore. The first requirement is dapat nasa listahan ka ng DOE that you can take advantage of the privileges and that is exemption of the number coding scheme,” Marantan said.</p><p>“The people wanted to take advantage of it and the HPG will not allow it.”</p><p>The HPG is now coordinating closely with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and other agencies to implement the EVIDA law properly and ensure that only qualified EV owners benefit from its provisions.</p>

<p>PNP-HPG clarified its earlier call for electric vehicle owners to present certification from the Department of Energy was directed specifically at individuals illegally using green plates to evade the number coding scheme.</p>

PNP-HPG clarified its earlier call for electric vehicle owners to present certification from the Department of Energy was directed specifically at individuals illegally using green plates to evade the number coding scheme.

HPG clarifies EV certification rule, warns public vs illegal use of green plates

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HPG clarifies EV certification rule, warns public vs illegal use of green plates

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 08, 2025 03:40 PM PHT

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Electric vehicle

Hybrid vehicle

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