Camille Naredo

Article (news)

DOST

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774870092150E-trike 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="An e-tricycle. Handout/DOST" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">An e-tricycle. <em>Handout/DOST</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — As concerns over fuel supply and rising global oil prices continue to weigh on the Philippines, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is pushing for the wider adoption of locally developed electric vehicles (EVs) as a long-term solution for public transport, environmental protection, and lower operating costs for drivers.</p><p>DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. on Monday said the government has been steadily developing and piloting a range of EV technologies, from electric tricycles and jeepneys to ferries and buses, in partnership with state universities and research institutions, with the goal of making them more accessible to both government and private users.</p><p>Solidum said the timing has made the transition to EVs more urgent, especially as volatility in oil supply and prices threatens the transport sector and the broader economy.</p><p>“Ang paggamit ng electric vehicle ay isa sa programa na talagang pinu-push natin na maipagpatuloy sa national and local government and even sa private sector. Lalong-lalo na ngayon na may problema tayo sa supply ng langis,” Solidum said.</p><p>“Kaya kami sa DOST ay talagang nagtayo ng programa na magkaroon ng electric vehicles na iba’t ibang klase,” he added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/2/18/acmobility-launches-electric-vehicle-fleet-management-platform-1430">ACMobility launches electric vehicle fleet management platform</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>FROM TRICYCLES TO FERRIES</strong></div><p>Among the EV technologies being pushed by DOST are a fully electric tricycle and a converted tricycle that transforms a gasoline-powered unit into an electric one. According to Solidum, these were developed with partners including Cagayan State University, University of the Philippines Diliman, and DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute.</p><p>He said the agency has also expanded its efforts beyond land transport.</p><p>“Last year (2025) nga, naglunsad tayo ng electric ferry na ginagamit ngayon sa Pasig River. In the past, meron tayong electric boat and electric jeepney. Ongoing iyong aming programa ng conversion ng traditional bus into electric bus. So marami tayong ginagawa,” Solidum said.</p><p>Solidum is referring to the MB Dalaray, a locally developed electric ferry designed for short-distance urban water transport. It is currently operating along the Pasig River, giving commuters a real-world demonstration of how Filipino-built EV technologies can function in daily transport service.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774870117850E-ferry.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The MB Dalaray, an e-ferry operating along the Pasig River. Handout/DOST" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The MB Dalaray, an e-ferry operating along the Pasig River. <em>Handout/DOST</em></span></span></span></div><p>DOST has also previously rolled out other EV-related innovations such as the C-Trike, a converted electric tricycle; the E-Trike, which has already been deployed in several areas nationwide; and the E-Jeepney, a 23-seater electric public utility vehicle aimed at replacing aging jeepney fleets with low-carbon alternatives.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/1/5/license-eyed-for-driving-2-or-3-wheeled-electric-vehicles-1809">License eyed for driving 2 or 3-wheeled electric vehicles</a></div><p>While DOST has made progress in vehicle development, Solidum stressed that EV adoption cannot scale up without a stronger charging network across the country.</p><p>He pointed to CharM, short for “Charging in Minutes”, a fast-charging system developed by researchers from UP Diliman with support from DOST’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).</p><p>The technology is designed to cut charging time significantly for vehicles such as electric tricycles and jeepneys.</p><p>“Kailangan din natin na kahit meron tayong mga electric vehicle, kailangan tayong merong magandang national charging infrastructure para magamit sa mas malayong biyahe, ang mga sasakyan natin tulad ng mga e-jeepney or mga electric car,” Solidum said.</p><p>CharM charging stations have already been installed in several locations, including parts of Quezon City, Pasig City, Antipolo City, Muntinlupa City, Cauayan City, and Tuguegarao City, among others.</p><p>Solidum said DOST is also encouraging local governments to invest in charging stations, particularly solarized charging systems, to make EV use more affordable and sustainable in the long run.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/4/1/philippines-now-has-over-900-ev-charging-stations-energy-dept-1409">Philippines now has over 900 EV charging stations: Energy dept</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>HIGHER TAKE-HOME PAY FOR DRIVERS</strong></div><p>For DOST, one of the strongest arguments for EV adoption is its potential to improve the earnings of public utility drivers, especially tricycle and jeepney operators who are directly hit by fuel price spikes.</p><p>Solidum said feedback from pilot users has been encouraging, particularly in Mindanao, where some electric tricycle operators have reported better income due to lower daily operating costs.</p><p>“Definitely, mas malaki ang kita. Iyong mga nakausap namin kasi last year pa namin, tinurn-over iyon. May boundary iyong iba d’yan. So, mas malaki ang kita nila kasi kung libre ang charging (LGU subsidized), wala ka nang gagastusin kumpara sa bibili ka ng krudo o langis, ‘di ba?” he said.</p><p>“Kung mura naman ang charging mo, pwede rin. Mas may kita pa sila. Mabilis iyong pagkuha ng boundary at madali rin nilang bayaran kung sakaling inutang nila iyong pag-procure ng tricycle,” he added.</p><p>Solidum cited one example discussed with a local government unit, where a single charge costing P80 could already power an electric tricycle for an entire day.</p><p>“Sa isang LGU, nag-usap kami, gusto nilang i-charge P80 pesos. P80 pesos, buong araw tatakbo na iyong tricycle mo. So, ilang litro na ‘yan sa krudo o sa gasoline. Kulang pa ‘yan sa buong araw,” he explained.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/30/jeepney-operators-drivers-receive-fuel-subsidy-1635">Jeepney operators, drivers receive fuel subsidy</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>FINANCING AND COMMERCIALIZATION</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774870151274Charging Station.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A charging station for electric vehicles. Handout/DOST" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A charging station for electric vehicles. <em>Handout/DOST</em></span></span></span></div><p>To help expand adoption, DOST is also offering financial support to tricycle cooperatives and working with both local governments and financial institutions to make EV acquisition more feasible.</p><p>Solidum said the agency currently has a financing scheme that allows cooperatives to acquire electric tricycles and pay for them over three years without interest. DOST is also in talks with Land Bank of the Philippines to support additional EV-related projects.</p><p>He further emphasized that DOST does not intend to become a vehicle manufacturer. Instead, the government’s role is to develop the technology and transfer it to the private sector for mass production and commercialization.</p><p>“Nakikipag-usap kami sa mga pribadong sektor na tumungo na sa mass production. Meron tayong mga kausap together with the Cagayan State University and UP, pagdating sa tricycle, may tatlo nang licensees tayo,” he said.</p><p>“Mas gusto namin na mass production para mas maka-avail iyong ating mga kababayan ng electric vehicle, lalo na sa tricycle, at mas mapamura ang presyo ng electric vehicle,” he added.</p><div> </div><div><strong>CLEANER TRANSPORT, BROADER POLICY PUSH</strong></div><p>Beyond fuel savings, Solidum said EVs can also help reduce air pollution and noise pollution, two persistent concerns in many urban and tourism-heavy areas.</p><p>He also said EVs are especially practical in tourism-oriented transport settings such as island or resort destinations, where speed is less important than efficiency, sustainability, and passenger experience.</p><p>Solidum said government support for EV expansion is already in place and should continue to strengthen in the coming years.</p><p>“We need to really make sure na malaki na ang fleet dapat ng ating mga vehicle na electric. In fact, sa government, may mga utos din naman na by 2040 ay dumami pa ang electric vehicle ng gobyerno,” he said.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/6/20/electric-vehicle-or-diesel-powered-car-which-is-better-905">Electric vehicle or diesel-powered car — which is better?</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PPL3LmD-cV4?si=Pltdx1HR7SmI8z9p" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The Department of Science and Technology is pushing for the wider adoption of locally developed electric vehicles (EVs) as a long-term solution for public transport, environmental protection, and lower operating costs for drivers.</p>

The Department of Science and Technology is pushing for the wider adoption of locally developed electric vehicles (EVs) as a long-term solution for public transport, environmental protection, and lower operating costs for drivers.

DOST pushes homegrown electric vehicles as fuel prices rise, eyes wider rollout for public transport

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DOST pushes homegrown electric vehicles as fuel prices rise, eyes wider rollout for public transport

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 30, 2026 07:31 PM PHT

Read More:

DOST

Electric Vehicle

Renato Solidum

E-trike

E-jeepney

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