The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is urging Filipinos to embrace locally developed electric vehicles as a practical response to the worsening fuel crisis. With pump prices nearly doubling since the start of the year, the agency is highlighting homegrown EV innovations as a way for commuters and transport operators to cut costs and reduce dependence on imported oil.
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized that the country should now “harvest” years of investment in Filipino‑engineered electric mobility. “With the continuing rise of global fuel prices, these technologies offer a real, practical way for Filipinos to save on costs while contributing to cleaner communities,” Solidum said.
The push comes shortly after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency on March 24, citing the “imminent danger” posed by the Middle East conflict to the country’s energy security. The Philippines imports about 98 percent of its oil from the Gulf region, and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping route has sent fuel prices soaring. Recent adjustments have pushed gasoline up by as much as ₱12 per liter and diesel by up to ₱18 per liter, straining both households and transport businesses.
Locally Built EVs Ready for Wider Use
DOST profiled six EV technologies it says are ready for wider deployment across the country. One standout is the M/B Dalaray, the nation’s first locally designed and fabricated battery‑electric ferry, which began operating on the Pasig River in October. Built by engineers from the University of the Philippines Diliman, the catamaran‑style vessel runs on lithium‑ion batteries supported by solar panels, can carry up to 40 passengers, and costs only about ₱45 per kilometer to operate, far below the roughly ₱130 per kilometer for a conventional diesel ferry.
On land, the agency showcased the C‑Trike, an electric version of the traditional motorized tricycle that uses just 4.5 kilowatt‑hours over a 56.4‑kilometer trip. Electric tricycles are already in use in Cauayan City, Tuguegarao, Batanes, Iloilo, and parts of Metro Manila. A separate 23‑seater electric jeepney, developed in collaboration with the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines, aims to modernize the country’s aging jeepney fleet.
Supporting this growing EV fleet is CHarM, short for Charging in Minutes, a fast‑charging system developed at UP Diliman that can recharge utility‑grade vehicles in about 30 minutes. CHarM stations are now installed in several locations in Quezon City, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, and Binondo, Manila, with additional units already operating in other parts of the country.
Growing Investment in Local EV Tech
Since 2014, DOST has invested more than ₱962.6 million in electric vehicle research, development, and infrastructure. The agency is now calling on local government units to integrate EV routes into their transport modernization plans and is urging transport cooperatives to adopt the technology. “These actions strengthen long‑term resilience, reduce dependence on imported fuel, and accelerate the adoption of clean, Filipino‑made technologies,” the agency said.
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