The transport modernization program of the government has become an attractive factor to lure foreign companies to establish their electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing in the country, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso Panga said.

Panga told reporters over the weekend that at least four EV manufacturers from the United States, China and Indonesia are looking into investing in the country and establishing their factories within PEZA ecozones.

“We are actually in talks with one American (company), which will be manufacturing e-buses, e-heavy equipment, and even cars. And they want to participate in the modernization of our transport,” Panga said, identifying the American firm as Envirotech Vehicles, Inc. (EVT).

He said PEZA has accompanied EVT in scouting locations for its facility, which may likely be in the Pampanga or Calabarzon area.

He added its planned Philippine factory will be EVT’s first facility in Southeast Asia.

Once it operates its EV facility in the Philippines, the American firm will be exporting 200 e-buses to Singapore as its initial order.

Aside from the American EV company, two Chinese manufacturers and one from Indonesia expressed their intent to invest in the Philippines, Panga said.

The PEZA chief said that by January 2024, one Chinese EV company will register its two- and three-wheel e-motorcycle assembly activity with the investment promotion agency. The investment value has yet to be determined.

He said the Philippines becomes an attractive location for EV manufacturing as the Marcos administration is committed to the net zero carbon emission goal.

“This is now the perfect time to be shifting from fuel-based to e-vehicle. I think it’s now a growing trend — the shifting from fossil-based to something electric,” he added.

Earlier, Panga said its planned mega-ecozone in Palawan could be a perfect location for e-vehicle activities, where it can house all the supply chain of the EV industry. (PNA)