The Department of Energy (DOE) supports the call to include electric motorcycles in the list of items subjected to reduced taxation.
DOE Science Research Specialist Andre Reyes, from their office at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, said that encouraging people to use electric vehicles like e-motorcycles would help reduce the country's carbon emissions.
"This proposed coverage expansion will send a clear price signal for consumers to switch to EVs, which are more efficient and cheaper to run per kilometer, and assist in energy self-sufficiency," Reyes stated.
According to DOE data, the use of e-motorcycles helps avoid the emission of 8.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide compared to internal combustion engine motorcycles.
E-motorcycle users also save money as the cost is only P0.34 per kilometer, saving 1.72 liters of gasoline per kilometer. In contrast, gasoline motorcycles cost P1.20 per kilometer.
The DOE also aims to increase the number of electric vehicles in the country by 50%, or an additional 2.4 million units.
The Tariff Commission of the National Economic and Development Authority has begun a public hearing on the mandatory review of Executive Order Number 12, Temporarily Modifying the Rates of Import Duty on Electric Vehicles, Parts, and Components Under Section 1611 of Republic Act No. 10863, also known as the "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act."
EO 12 also supports the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which aims to develop the electric vehicle industry in the country to reduce pollution in response to the Paris Agreement.
Currently, e-motorcycles or two-wheeled electric vehicles with a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour are still subjected to a 30% tax.
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