From left, Nissan Philippines Inc. President Atsushi Najima and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez during the visit of Nissan Philippines Inc. officials at the Department of Trade Industry office in Makati last September 23
(Photo from DTI-OSEC)
By Victoria “NIKE” De Dios
As the country celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (eVAP), the need to embrace the future of mobility, which is the Electronic Vehicle is empirical.
In the media advisory sent by the Office of the Trade Secretary, Department of Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said, “The e-vehicle maybe something that may be new to us. But this is the future of mobility and it paves the way for a safer, smarter, and more sustainable automotive industry.”
Secretary Ramon Lopez, testing a Nissan Leaf last September 23
Speaking to THEPHILBIZNEWS, the Trade Secretary added, “We have to look at the long term in terms of sustainability and cost efficiency when we embark on something new. Adopting the e-vehicles is a necessity rather than a luxury. So I hope our Filipino people and those who would like to get a new vehicle will now consider the e-vehicle.”
“Apart from that, EV is one emerging industry where the Philippines can still be a major player, and if we can set up now the ecosystem of support. Otherwise, we will be left behind,” Secretary Lopez added.
In the meeting of Secretary Lopez with Nissan Philippines Inc. President Atsushi Najima and other officials on Nissan Philippines, it was revealed that Nissan Philippines Inc. will be bringing to the Philippines for the first time the Nissan Leaf in the Philippines in 2021, a 100% full EV.
Meanwhile, Meralco Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond Ravelo said, “The business gradually reopens our businesses along the way, the pandemic is shedding light on questions and concerns about road infrastructure, urban transport, and mobility in general. This is an opportunity for us to adopt new behaviors as we slowly get back to what will hopefully be a better normal.”
“Instead of writing off this year and postponing the summit due to the pandemic, we decided to push forward and continue the conversation on electrified mobility with industry stakeholders, policymakers, regulators, the academe, and consumers so we can collectively shape our better normal,” Mr. Ravelo concluded.
From left, Nissan Philippines, Inc. Communications Head Dax Avenido, Electric Vehicle Association Philippines President Rommel Juan, DTI Undersecretary and Board of Investments Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo, Nissan Philippines, Inc. President Atsushi Nijima, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, Meralco Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond Ravelo, DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba at the Department of Trade and Industry and Board of Investment Philippines offices in Makati City