While auto manufacturers have invested on other Southeast Asian countries to build their vehicles, the executives of the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have given us something to look forward to in terms of local manufacturing.

DOF Secretary Frederick Go said a foreign electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer is eyeing a substantial investment in the Philippines. This potential move could boost the local manufacturing sector and create jobs in the country, and help advance the push towards cleaner mobility.

For now, they are yet to disclose other details such as the name of the firm and how advanced the discussions are, but DTI Secretary Cristina Roque says the discussions are coming along well and hopes the investment materializes this year.

With favorable government policies and growing consumer interest, electrification is steadily gaining ground in the Philippines.

Under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), qualified EVs enjoy incentives such as exemption from the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) for eight years. These measures are designed to ease adoption barriers while encouraging both manufacturers and consumers to shift toward electrified mobility solutions.

Based on our 2025 Philippine auto industry report, electrified vehicle sales have reached 59,000 units, with almost 44% of those comprising of HEVs, 40% PHEVs, and 16% for BEVs.