The widespread adoption of sustainable transportation has led to the rise of electric vehicles or EVs, a convenient mode of transportation that does not fully require a driver's license and the use of expensive fuel.

While this has benefited many commuters, the proliferation of these vehicles on the country's roads has drawn the attention of the Land Transportation Office or LTO.

In an interview Wednesday on Straight Talk, an online program of DAILY TRIBUNE, LTO chief, Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, said his agency was studying the viability of establishing a regulatory framework that would require all light EV users — including those using e-scooters — to register their units before they could use them to ply any thoroughfares in the country.

"We don't have problems with four-wheeled vehicles. We've seen a lot of car manufacturers bringing in EVs compared to a few months back. Now, almost every week, someone applies for a permit with the LTO to bring in their EVs both for private and public use," Mendoza said.

"However, we are a bit concerned about the scooters, and remember that all motorized vehicles should be registered with LTO. We might have them registered, so the drivers must secure a driver's license. This is something we're now reviewing," he added.

Under LTO Administrative Order No. 2021-039, motorized EVs — except for two-wheeled e-scooters — must be registered with the LTO.

The new proposal, however, might need all e-scooter users to register their units so the LTO can better govern their use.

Amended policy out soon

Mendoza said a preliminary policy is expected to be completed by the end of November. Still, the agency will first publicly consult electric vehicle manufacturers, road safety groups, and commuters to discuss the proposal.

"Although these EVs are greening the environment, this is something new, and we are catching up to it. We're very supportive of that because our President is very supportive of EVs. We just want to establish a good regulatory framework that will not overburden the industry. We want the registration to flow smoothly," he added.

The LTO, according to Mendoza, has logged around 15,000 EV units.

Like every other vehicle registration procedure, those looking to register EVs and e-bikes also have to meet the agency's requirements.

According to the LTO, manufacturers, assemblers, and importers must submit the specifications of the electric vehicle model to their office.

The agency will then use these specifications to determine the EV classification under which the EV will fall. This needs to be done no later than three months before the market introduction of any new model.

The LTO order also identified several types of EV units that need registration.

These include E-Scooters or L2B, which are three-wheeled vehicles, with or without pedals, powered by electrical energy capable of propelling the unit up to a maximum speed of 50 kilometers per hour or km/hr, and E-Motorcycle or L3, which are a two-wheeled vehicle, powered solely by electrical energy capable of propelling the unit more than 50 km/hr.

The order also covers the E-Trike or L4 and L5, which are three-wheeled vehicles powered solely by electrical energy with a minimum rated power of 1,000 watts capable of propelling the unit to no more than 50 km/h and having a maximum curb weight of 600 kilos. They are designed to carry goods, cargo, freight, and passengers.

On the other hand, the E-Quad or L6 and L7 are four-wheeled microcars with limited weight, power, and speed. They are further classified into light electric quadricycles and heavy electric quadricycles.

Online registration eyed

Mendoza vowed that the amendment to the EV registration policy should be efficient and hassle-free for users.

"We don't want to be the bottleneck of the EV industry growth. We don't want to be the reason why there will be sudden EV clampdowns because of our regulations. If ever, we would require them to register the unit and secure a driver's license through a smooth online process," Mendoza said.

Aside from the LTO, the rollout of EVs is also being managed by the Department of Energy or DoE.

Under the short-term period from 2023 to 2028, the DoE targets to roll out 2,454,200 electric vehicles comprising cars, tricycles, motorcycles, and buses nationwide. It intends to build 65,000 EV charging stations nationwide.

For the medium term, or from 2029 to 2034, the DOE said it would push for an additional 1,851,500 EVs and 42,000 EV charging stations.