Electric Cars and Hybrid SUVs are Still Exempted from Number Coding in PH

The electric vehicle (EV) movement is gaining significant momentum in the Philippines, heralding a new era of cleaner mobility. Recent studies reveal that the country boasts approximately 56,000 electric vehicle units, with EV registrations more than doubling in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year. As global interest in electric cars surges, it’s clear that this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Photo by Kindel Media: https://www.pexels.com/photo/gray-electric-car-parked-on-a-charging-bay-9800006/ While electric vehicles are celebrated for their potential to transform sustainable transportation, questions about their regulatory treatment naturally arise—particularly concerning traffic management policies like number coding. What is Number Coding? In the Philippines, number coding is a traffic regulation scheme designed to alleviate congestion by restricting the days certain vehicles can operate based on their license plate numbers. This system is crucial in managing the chaos of daily traffic jams in urban areas. But what happens when electric vehicles enter the equation? Are Electric Cars Exempt from Number Coding? According to Republic Act No. 11697, also known as the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), battery-operated, hybrid, light, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are indeed exempt from the number coding scheme. This exemption aims to support the growth of [...]