DOE: No number coding for electric, hybrid, plug-in vehicles
(Photos by John Louie Abrina I MB)
The Department of Energy (DOE) on Wednesday, Oct. 8, clarified that all electric vehicles (EVs) are exempt from the number coding scheme following an erroneous citation issued by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) system.
In a statement, the DOE cited Section 25 of Republic Act No. 11697, known as the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which grants the exemption.
The law specifies that all types of EVs—including Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), and Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs)—are excluded from the mandatory Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP).
The exemption, an incentive under EVIDA to promote green mobility, is currently set to last until 2030.
The UVVRP, which the MMDA enforces to manage vehicular volume in Metro Manila, restricts private vehicles based on the last digit of their license plates on weekdays: 1 and 2 on Mondays; 3 and 4 on Tuesdays; 5 and 6 on Wednesdays; 7 and 8 on Thursdays; and 9 and 0 on Fridays.
The issue was thrust into the spotlight when the MMDA’s reinstated No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) system flagged an EV for an alleged coding violation on Sunday, Oct. 5. The citation, which reportedly captured a vehicle with a distinctive green EV license plate, caused public confusion and raised questions about the NCAP system's reliability.
While the MMDA immediately dismissed the citation after the owner contested the error, the DOE moved quickly to address the lapse. The agency convened an urgent meeting with industry stakeholders on Tuesday, Oct. 7, to iron out implementation issues surrounding the EVIDA law.
“The DOE remains committed to the effective and harmonized implementation of the EVIDA Law and continues to collaborate with partner agencies,” the department said.
Among the agencies involved in the discussions were the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the MMDA, the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and various local government units (LGUs).
The DOE highlighted its recent efforts to fortify the EV sector, noting it amended the EV Recognition Guidelines last month. The updated policy, which took effect on Sept. 20, aims to establish a clearer framework to streamline the industry and help accelerate the growth of the local EV fleet.
Under the amended guidelines, industry stakeholders are mandated to submit a quarterly EV Charge Monitoring Form to ensure that market data is current. Furthermore, non-promotional EVs must submit a notice to be granted either a Provisional Certificate or a Non-Marketing Certificate.
As of Oct. 1, the DOE officially recognized approximately 780 BEVs, 113 HEVs, 99 PHEVs, and 88 LEVs.