The 11th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit was a spectacular event that electrified the future of transportation in the Philippines. Organized by the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), this summit brought together the brightest minds and leaders in the electric vehicle industry to discuss, share insights, and celebrate the advancements in electric mobility. NWOW International Trading Corp., a prominent electric vehicle manufacturer and distributor, was not only in attendance but also proudly participated as an exhibitor at this groundbreaking event.

    The President of EVAP, Mr. Edmund Araga, gave the opening remarks and a report on the state of the electric vehicle sector in the Philippines to kick off the summit. His insights provided the framework for what appeared to be an interesting and engaging event. Mr. Raymond Ravelo, First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of MERALCO, spoke after Mr. Araga to thank EVAP for its unwavering support in furthering the electrification of the Philippines' transportation mobility system. It was a moment to celebrate the collective efforts and progress made in the EV industry.

    The speech on Sweden's experience with establishing a fully electric transportation system was one of the summit's highlights. Her Excellency Annika Thunborg, the Swedish ambassador to the Philippines, provided informative information regarding Sweden's policy toward environmentally friendly and sustainable transportation options. Honorable Raphael Lotilla, Secretary of the Department of Energy, Atty. Vincent Maronilla, Assistant Commissioner, and Post Clearance Audit Group of the Bureau of Customs, along with Honorable Raffy Tulfo, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy, also conveyed their messages of support and encouragement to EVAP and its members. Their presence emphasized the importance of government and industry collaboration in the electrification of the Philippines' transport sector.

    A global perspective was added to the summit by Mr. Joung Chun Park, Secretary General of the Global EV Association Network (GEAN), who delivered a message to EVAP. This further underscored the international significance of the event and the Philippines' role in the global EV movement. The official opening of the exhibit was an exciting moment. The ribbon-cutting ceremony at Hall 2 Entrance was led by Mr. Edmund Araga, Mr. Juan Hoyos, Mr. Antonio Zara III, and Asst. Commissioner Vincent Maronilla. NWOW International proudly showcased its innovative electric vehicles, highlighting the company's commitment to driving the electrification of transport in the Philippines.

    The afternoon session continued with Honorable Sherwin Gatchalian, Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy, who provided valuable insights into the trends and government plans for the electric vehicle industry. His words reinforced the government's dedication to promoting sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions. The summit featured several informative sessions. In the first session, "Electrifying Ride Hailing and Urban Logistics," two compelling perspectives were presented. The first, "Electrified Ride Hailing: The LOCA Experience," was discussed by Mr. Soullyo Vongdala, Chief Executive Officer of Loca Company United. The second perspective, "Electrified Urban Logistics: Mober Experience," was presented by Mr. Dennis Ng, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mober. A panel discussion followed, involving experts in this field, offering attendees a comprehensive view of the electric ride-hailing and urban logistics landscape. The second session, titled "Electrifying Buses and Related Services in the Philippines," delved into the electric bus industry. Mr. Bhudjonggo Prabowo, Vice Chairman of the Research and Development Indonesian Electric Vehicle Industry Association (PERIKLINDO), discussed "Jakarta Electric Buses and Related Services in the Philippines." A panel discussion followed, with experts in the field discussing various aspects of electrifying buses and related services in the Philippines.

Day Two: A Glimpse into the Summit's Agenda

    The second day of the summit commenced with a warm welcome from Mr. Edmund Araga, the President of EVAP. His opening message set the tone for what was destined to be an enlightening and engaging day. This marked the beginning of a series of presentations and policy dialogues that delved deep into the electric vehicle (EV) industry, not only in the Philippines but also on a global scale.

    Mr. Zhang Yu, Secretary General of the Power Battery Application Committee of the China Industrial Association of Power Sources (CIAPS-PBA), delivered an impactful message, highlighting the importance of international collaboration and sharing of insights for the advancement of EV technology. Further enriching the discussions, Mr. Jose Concepcion III, Chairman of the Asean Business Advisory Council of the Philippines, offered his perspective on the electric vehicle industry's potential and the role of the Philippines in the regional landscape.

Global Insights and Market Analysis

    Afterwards, the summit welcomed Mr. Arsjad Rasjid, the chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who offered insightful information on the electric vehicle market and the crucial part that EVAP played in determining the direction of sustainable transportation in the Philippines. A series of presentations shed light on various aspects of the EV industry. Mr. Paolo Mutuc, Associate Director, Mobility Practice, Frost and Sullivan, provided a comprehensive Electric Vehicles Market Analysis in Southeast Asia. His insights were followed by Mr. Joseph Leung, Vice Chairman of Shenzhen Bus Group Co., Ltd., who discussed the electric bus and taxi fleets' successful implementation in Shenzhen, China.

    Mr. Isao Sekiguchi, President of Nissan ASEAN and Nissan Thailand, presented on "Accelerating Carbon Neutrality/Green Economy," underlining the importance of eco-friendly practices and carbon neutrality in the EV sector. Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Duc Thanh, Head of International Markets at Vinfast Auto Ltd., shared the remarkable journey and emergence of a Vietnamese EV brand. The presentations continued with Dr. Vitchapol Motaneeyachart, Vice President of the Thailand Energy Storage Technology Association (TESTA), discussing the Battery Supply Chain and Technology Development in the ASEAN Region. Mr. Ke Ke, Chairman and General Manager of Henan Kenergy New Energy Technology Company Ltd., presented insights into EV Battery Technology Development in China.

Policy Dialogues and Perspectives 

   The summit's agenda was not limited to presentations. It also included crucial policy dialogues on "Situating Philippines in the EV Supply Chain," which brought together discussants from various fields and resource persons to explore how the Philippines can become a prominent player in the EV supply chain. The afternoon session was kicked off by Mr. Hoo Kyung Lee, CEO of EVALL Company, who addressed the critical aspect of safety in electric vehicle operations, emphasizing the need for stringent safety measures.

Manufacturing and Policy Development

    Another enlightening session, "EV Manufacturing Development: Exploiting Existing Capabilities of Auto Parts, Electronics, and ICT Sectors," featured two key perspectives. Director Patrick Aquino, Energy Utilization Management Bureau of the Department of Energy, presented an "Overview of the Comprehensive Road map for the EV Industry (CREVI)." Usec. Rafaelita Aldaba, Competitiveness and Innovation Group, Department of Trade and Industry, shared insights into the "Electric Vehicle industry Strategy (EVIS)." The session was further enriched by a panel discussion featuring prominent field experts

Light Electric Vehicle Policy Implementation

    The final session of the day, "Light Electric Vehicle Policy Implementation: Way Forward," addressed policies in the ASEAN region and the Philippines. Dr. Jose Biona, Executive Director of EVAP, discussed the "Light Electric Vehicle Policy Landscape in the ASEAN." Mr. Eduardo De Guzman, OIC Executive Director of the Land Transportation Office, explored "Light Electric Vehicle Policies in the Philippines." A panel discussion involving field experts followed, providing valuable insights into the implementation of light electric vehicle policies.

Day Three: Last Day of the Summit

    On the last day of the summit, the last session was held and talked about “Energizing the EV Ecosystem: Advancing an Electrified Future.” This session was moderated by James Deakin and participated by Mr. Augustus “Joe” Ferreria, President of Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), Mr. Henry Low, Manager for E-mobility Phoenix Contact (SEA) Pte., Ltd., Mr. Carla Buencamino, Head of Mobility Infrastructure for AC Mobility Holdings Inc., and Mr. Juan Manuel Hoyos, President of Nissan Philippines Inc. With their expertise and knowledge about electric vehicles and the ongoing electrification of transport mobility in the Philippines, it further enhances and widens the perspective as to what we can expect in the near future and what is the current status of the Philippines in terms of transport system and infrastructure readiness of the country.

    The 11th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit was a remarkable event, and NWOW International is proud to have been part of it. As an electric vehicle manufacturer and distributor, NWOW International is committed to shaping the future of electric mobility in the Philippines. We look forward to continuing our efforts in advancing the electrification of transportation, building a sustainable and eco-friendly future for all.