Harmonize policies on e-bikes, group urges regulators
Published Jun 24, 2023 05:22 am
A consumer advocacy group is urging government regulators to harmonize existing policy on the importation of electric motorcycles and electric bicycles being sold in the gray market, saying that conflicting policies will slow down transition to environment friendly transportation modes.
Lawyer and former congressman Christopher “Kit” Belmonte, co-convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines, said the situation frustrates the objective of shifting to safer, more affordable, and more sustainable means of transportation.
“Clearly there is demand,” said Belmonte. “Our inadequate mass transportation system, the high cost of fuel, and the desire of an increasing number of Filipinos to do more for the environment are making them look at other options to get themselves from Point A to Point B.”
He added that electric motorcycles and bicycles have the added appeal of being easy to use.
“But it is not enough to simply respond to this demand by opening importation of EVs. “We have to make sure that we do it the right way, the safe way,” said Belmonte.
“Ultimately, this should redound to the benefit of the riding public and empower them to be more efficient with their time and resources while also protecting their well-being.”
Existing national policy
Republic Act 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in April 2022, aims to “create an environment that promotes the development of e-vehicles, to promote innovation, and to secure the health of Filipinos against air pollution caused by vehicles.
The law tasks various agencies – the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) – to craft a Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREV), and outlines fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for potential investors, importers, and e-vehicle users.
Meanwhile, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Administrative Order No 2021-039 or the Consolidated Guidelines in the Classification, Registration, and Operation of All Types of Electric Motor Vehicles specifies various guidelines for various categories of electric vehicles. Categories depend on the unit’s capability to propel itself to specified speeds.
Conflicting issues
One of the provisions of the AO is that users of electric kick scooters, which based on the classification scheme are capable of speed rates of 25 kilometers per hour, do not need to secure a driver’s license or to register their vehicles.
These vehicles, however, can be unlocked to go beyond 25 kph up and reach 50 kph.
“This is a serious safety issue and must be addressed urgently,” Belmonte said. “Faster vehicles need to be registered and their drivers need to secure licenses.”
Meanwhile, a road sign banning e-motorcycles and e-bicycles on Boni Avenue in Mandaluyong City has sparked confusion and debate, especially since it is a national road and the ban clearly contravenes the national policy to transition away from fossil burning modes of transportation and encourage the use of zero-emission electric vehicles.
But the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the EVIDA Law grants local government units (LGUs) with the power to issue necessary policies or regulations regulating EV operations.
“This conflict must be resolved at the soonest possible time,” Belmonte said. “Prohibiting e-bikes on main roads unfairly penalizes e-bike users from using these public roads.”
He added that users of electric vehicles will then be forced to find alternative routes which will be circuitous, and which will be a waste of their time and energy.
“This is consistent with the government’s intent to push the transition to more environmentally friendly modes of transportation,” he said.
Belmonte added: “There needs to be a review of existing regulations that need to be updated and harmonized with the government’s sustainability agenda wherein shifting towards zero emissions is not just a national but a global strategy to prevent the catastrophic effects of climate change. The government, the stakeholders of the EV industry, and local governments need to iron out these policy kinks to accelerate the shift to green transportation modes.