Hybrid cars must be DOE certified before exemption from number coding scheme—HPG
Motorists with hybrid motor vehicles in Metro Manila must first secure a certification from the Department of Energy before being exempted from the number coding scheme, the Highway Patrol Group said.
HPG director Col. Hansen Marantan said that the police unit will look into hybrid cars plying EDSA and other major roads.
"We will inspect motor vehicles sporting green plates because these must have certification from the DOE before being exempted from the number coding scheme," Marantan told reporters.
The green special plates are issued by the Land Transportation Office.
Earlier in October, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority approved the appeal of a hybrid vehicle driver who supposedly violated the number coding scheme in September, as flagged by NCAP (no contact apprehension policy).
"Iginiit niya (the driver) na rehistrado bilang electric motor vehicle ang kanyang sasakyan at ito ay exempted sa number coding scheme alinsunod sa Republic Act 11697 o Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA Law)," the MMDA said in a statement.
This was an isolated incident, according to the MMDA.
According to the EVIDA Law, EV users may enjoy incentives such as priority registration and renewal of registration, and issuance of a special type of vehicle plate by LTO; and exemption from vehicular volume reduction programs, number coding scheme, or other schemes implemented by MMDA and local government units.
These non-fiscal incentives remain in force until 2030, according to the act.
The DOE also has a list of recognized electric vehicles, which includes battery EVs, hybrid EVs, plug-in hybrid EVs, and light EVs.
According to 2024 data from the LTO, there are over 24,286 registered EVs in the country. The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines expects that there will be 35,000 registered EVs in the country by the end of the year.
PhilSTAR L!fe has reached out to DOE but has yet to receive a response. (with reports from Emmanuel Tupas)
