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The Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) has introduced comprehensive new guidelines that expand the Philippines’ electric vehicle classification system from four to six categories, marking a significant step toward streamlining the country’s rapidly growing EV market.
The revised rules, contained in DOE Department Circular DC2025-09-0015, took effect on September 20 and amend the previous DC 2023-05-0012. The changes align with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) and are designed to support nationwide efforts to accelerate EV adoption.
The expanded classification system now includes:
- Battery EVs (BEVs) — Pure electric vehicles powered solely by a traction battery, including traditional pure electric vehicles (PEVs).
- BYD Atto 3, Dolphin, Seagull, Seal
- Nissan LEAF
- Kia EV6
- Hyundai IONIQ 5
- Jetour Ice Cream EV
- Tesla Model 3, Model Y
- MG 4 EV
- VinFast VF 3
- Battery powered trikes
- Hybrid EVs (HEVs) — Vehicles combining a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) with a conventional fossil-fuel powered combustion engine, producing tailpipe emissions.
- Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, Yaris Cross Hybrid, Corolla Altis Hybrid, Zenix Hybrid
- Honda CR-V e:HEV
- Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid, XL7 Hybrid
- GWM Haval Jolion HEV
- Mazda 3 Hybrid, CX-60 HEV
- Light EVs (LEVs) — Micromobility solutions such as electric scooters and bicycles weighing less than 50 kg. Here lies a huge
- Electric scooters from brands like Segway-Ninebot and Xiaomi.
- Electric bicycles from various local and international brands.
- Plug-in Hybrid EVs (PHEVs) — Hybrid vehicles with rechargeable systems that can be charged from external energy sources while still producing tailpipe emissions
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
- DFSK E5
- BYD Seal 5 DM-i, Sealion 6 DM-i, Shark 6 DMO
- Chery Tiggo 8 Pro PHEV
- Range Extended EVs (REEVs) — HEVs propelled by an electric motor only, with a fueled power source specifically used for charging the RESS
- Fuel Cell EVs (FCEVs) — Vehicles with no tailpipe emissions that use a fuel cell to generate power. These are vehicles that produce electricity from a hydrogen fuel cell. They emit only water vapor. There are currently no FCEV models commercially available for sale in the Philippines due to the lack of hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
Previously, the Philippines recognized only four EV categories: BEVs, HEVs, LEVs, and PHEVs.
The new guidelines introduce several administrative improvements designed to maintain accurate market data and reduce regulatory burden:
- Quarterly reporting requirements now mandate that stakeholders submit EV Charger Monitoring Forms every three months, due on the 15th of each month following a quarter’s end.
- Market status updates require manufacturers, assemblers, importers, and rebuilders (MARS) to notify the DOE when EVs are discontinued or no longer offered for sale in the Philippines. These vehicles will be classified as “not marketed” and removed from the Recognized EV List.
- Physical inspections will be conducted by the DOE to address documentation discrepancies and ensure compliance.
- Provisional certificates are now available for EVs intended solely for promotional or non-marketing purposes, requiring specific notice applications.
- The guidelines also allow data revisions for most specifications, though core classifications require new applications entirely.
“The issuance of this policy is a critical step toward building a more organized, accessible, and future-ready EV market in the Philippines,” said Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin in a report that appeared in The Manila Times. “By harmonizing our EV recognition guidelines, we are reducing administrative burdens, increasing transparency, and accelerating EV adoption nationwide.”
The timing of these regulatory improvements coincides with remarkable growth in the Philippine EV market. Registration data show 29,715 EVs were registered from January to July 2025, already surpassing the entire 2024 total of 24,286 vehicles.
This regulatory framework supports the Philippines’ broader commitment to electric mobility and complements existing policies, including extended zero-tariff policies on EV imports that help make electric vehicles more accessible to Filipino consumers.
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