DOE to Require EV Charging Slots in Buildings as Philippines Expands Charging Network

 

The Department of Energy is preparing a new policy that will require qualifying buildings across the Philippines to allocate parking spaces for electric vehicle charging, marking another step in the government’s effort to accelerate the country’s transition to cleaner transportation.

Under the forthcoming DOE circular, buildings with at least 20 parking spaces will be required to reserve 5 percent of their slots for EV charging facilities. The measure is based on Section 17 of the Electric Vehicle Industry Act and is intended to make charging infrastructure more accessible to motorists.

DOE Preparing Rules for EV Charging Installations

The department is expected to issue the implementing circular this month. DOE Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino said the agency is still addressing technical concerns before the guidelines are finalized.

One of the challenges involves older buildings and condominiums, where electrical capacity, existing parking configurations and structural limitations may make the installation of charging equipment more complicated.

The new guidelines are therefore expected to account for different building conditions rather than impose a single approach across all properties. This is particularly important for older developments that were constructed before EV charging became a consideration in building design.

The policy essentially treats parking infrastructure as part of the country’s emerging EV ecosystem. Instead of requiring motorists to search exclusively for dedicated charging hubs, more charging points could eventually be available where vehicles are already parked for extended periods.

Philippines Still Faces a Charging Infrastructure Gap

The need for additional charging facilities is underscored by the country’s current network. Aquino said the Philippines has only around 1,600 registered EV charging stations, with the majority concentrated in Luzon.

The DOE is targeting approximately 7,000 charging stations nationwide by the end of 2028.

Expanding the network is considered crucial because access to charging remains one of the biggest obstacles preventing more Filipinos from switching to electric vehicles.

The challenge is comparable to expanding a road network without building enough fuel stations along the route. Even if consumers are interested in the vehicles, uncertainty over where and when they can recharge can discourage them from making the transition.

Consumer Interest in EVs Is Gradually Increasing

The latest consumer data suggests that Filipino motorists are becoming more receptive to alternatives to conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles.

According to Deloitte’s 2026 Global Automotive Consumer Study, 62 percent of 907 Filipino respondents said they would still choose an internal combustion engine vehicle for their next purchase. While conventional vehicles remain the preferred option, the figure is down from 68 percent recorded in 2025.

Meanwhile, 20 percent expressed a preference for hybrids, 11 percent for plug-in hybrids and 3 percent for fully battery-powered vehicles.

For consumers considering EVs, lower fuel expenses, environmental considerations and the driving experience are among the strongest incentives.

However, concerns surrounding infrastructure continue to influence purchasing decisions. Respondents identified the limited availability of public charging facilities as the leading barrier, followed by battery replacement costs, charging time and concerns about vehicle range.

Drivers Want Convenient Charging Options

The survey also highlights an important consideration for policymakers and businesses: where charging stations are located matters almost as much as how many are available.

Only 9 percent of respondents identified parking lots as their preferred location for public EV charging. Dedicated EV charging facilities and conventional fuel stations equipped with charging equipment were more popular choices.

This indicates that the expansion of charging infrastructure will need to consider convenience, accessibility and motorists’ established travel habits.

The DOE’s requirement for qualifying buildings could nevertheless broaden charging access by placing facilities in commercial and residential areas where vehicles naturally spend significant amounts of time.

Government Links EV Expansion to Renewable Energy

The charging rollout is part of a wider government strategy to support the adoption of electric vehicles. Aquino said the government is responding to concerns raised by motorists and pointed to the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy as part of the broader policy framework.

The DOE also plans to identify establishments where charging stations will be installed.

Beyond simply increasing the number of charging points, the government has indicated that it wants the shift toward electric mobility to be supported by renewable energy. This approach would strengthen the environmental case for EV adoption by reducing reliance on electricity generated from conventional energy sources.

As the Philippines moves toward its 2028 charging infrastructure target, the effectiveness of the transition will depend not only on the number of EVs sold but also on whether motorists can charge them reliably, conveniently and across a wider geographic area.