House approves e-vehicle tariff bill

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading House Bill 10960, a measure seeking a five-year zero tariff for imported electric vehicles. The measure got the approval of 196 lawmakers, while three voted against it and one abstained. The proposed five-year zero percent import tariff aims to make electric vehicles affordable to Filipinos, said Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta party-list Rep. Migs Nograles-Almario in her sponsorship speech at the plenary on Tuesday, Dec. 3. "This proposed legislation represents a critical step toward a sustainable future. It will boost the EV market, generate much-needed jobs, and help the Philippines transition to a greener economy, aligning us with global climate goals," she added. Under the bill, an electric vehicle was defined as a two-, three- or four-wheeled vehicle with at least one electric drive for vehicle propulsion. If passed into law, the five-year zero tariff for imported electric vehicles shall start from the date of the law's effectivity.