The Philippine government is proposing a more than sevenfold increase in funding for its electric vehicle programme in 2027 as EV sales increase and the country develops charging infrastructure.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has proposed PHP 228.9 million (US$ 3.6 million) for the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Program under the 2027 National Expenditure Program, up from PHP 32.45 million appropriated for the programme in 2026. The proposed allocation represents a 605.17% increase, as electrified vehicles account for a growing share of the Philippine automotive market.

Infrastructure requirements differ between conventional hybrids and vehicles that depend entirely on external charging. The additional funding is intended to address these requirements through charging facilities at selected government offices and an EV charging-system testing facility.

The first initiative is the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Scoping, Implementation and Operationalization in Selected Government Offices, or EVision Project, which is intended to identify suitable locations and establish charging infrastructure within government facilities.

The second would strengthen the Department of Energy's (DOE's) ability to test charging equipment and determine whether charging systems meet technical and safety requirements. The DOE had accredited 422 EV charging station providers by August 31st, 2026, while registered charging stations nationwide had reached 1,876. The department's latest published figure for accredited providers was 402 as of July 31st, while its September update confirmed 1,876 registered charging stations at the end of August.

Charging infrastructure requirements

The government's Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry, or CREVI, calls for at least 7,300 charging stations between 2023 and 2028 under its business-as-usual scenario, while a more aggressive scenario calls for 66,500. With 1,876 registered stations, the country has reached about one-quarter of the lower target.

The charging network also needs to be integrated with the electricity distribution system, comply with technical standards and remain operational as demand increases. The DOE has been developing rules covering charging-station installation, operation and accreditation under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, or EVIDA, along with guidelines identifying public and private establishments that will be required to install charging stations. A proposed circular covering these requirements was under public consultation in September.

These requirements place charging infrastructure within the wider transportation and energy policy framework, with government facilities forming one component. EVIDA requires covered government agencies, local governments and other public-sector entities to transition part of their fleets to EVs. The law establishes a minimum 5% EV share for covered fleets within the period prescribed by CREVI, with the requirement intended to increase over time.

The government therefore needs charging infrastructure for the vehicles it is expected to adopt. The EVision Project is intended to address this requirement while giving government agencies experience in operating electric vehicles and charging equipment.

The proposed testing facility addresses charging hardware. Charging equipment can involve high electrical loads and, in the case of DC fast charging, power-conversion systems. Standardised testing gives regulators a means of checking equipment before and during deployment rather than relying entirely on manufacturers and private operators. The DOE has already been acquiring equipment for charging-system testing, while the proposed 2027 facility would provide a permanent institutional capability as the market expands.

These measures form part of the government's efforts to develop the EV sector alongside vehicle adoption.

Executive intervention

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order 121 in July, establishing the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy, or EVIS, to encourage investment in EV and component manufacturing. The strategy provides a framework for fiscal support intended to attract manufacturers and develop domestic supply chains.

EVIS operates separately from the PHP 228.9 million proposed for the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Program. EVIS is focused on industrial development, while the 2027 EV development allocation is focused on infrastructure and government capacity.

The policies address different areas of the Philippine EV market, which has traditionally depended heavily on imported petroleum for transportation, leaving motorists and the wider economy exposed to international oil prices. Electrification can reduce petroleum consumption, although the effect depends on the electricity used to charge vehicles and the development of renewable generation. The energy-security implications have received greater attention during periods of international oil-market volatility.

For the Philippines, the transition involves shifting part of the country's transportation energy demand from imported petroleum towards electricity while developing the infrastructure required to deliver electricity to vehicles.

Meeting EV demand also creates requirements for emergency responders, technicians and other workers. The DOE has begun conducting safety activities covering high-voltage systems, battery handling, charging practices and emergency response. As the number of EVs increases, fire and rescue personnel will encounter vehicles with high-voltage battery systems requiring procedures different from those used for conventional vehicles. The same applies to vehicle inspection, maintenance and repair, which are required to support the operation of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

Early Philippine EV charging infrastructure was concentrated largely in commercial locations and among a relatively small number of operators. The number of accredited charging providers is increasing, while government regulations are defining where charging stations should be installed and how they should operate. The next stage will involve coordination between vehicle manufacturers, charging companies, electricity distributors, property owners and government regulators.

The proposed PHP 228.9 million cannot finance the entire transition and is smaller than the private investment required to build thousands of charging stations or the capital needed to expand electricity networks. The government is allocating funding to areas of the EV sector including public-sector charging infrastructure, technical testing capability, regulatory capacity and standards development. These areas are intended to support wider EV deployment.

Charging availability is a consideration for battery-electric vehicle buyers, who need to assess vehicle range, charging locations, charging times and equipment availability. For fleet operators, charging also has to be coordinated with vehicle schedules, electricity availability, parking arrangements and operating costs. These considerations will become relevant as government fleets, public transport operators and commercial fleets adopt electric vehicles.

Electric vehicles are already present in the Philippine market, while the government is developing infrastructure and regulations for their use. The proposed 2027 budget includes funding for charging infrastructure, charging-system testing and government capacity, covering the installation and operation of charging equipment, technical compliance, electricity demand and the management of electric vehicle technology by public agencies.

For the Philippines, the development of these systems forms part of the shift in transportation energy demand from imported petroleum towards electricity.