Marcos urges Tesla to manufacture EVs in PH

During the launch of the Tesla Center Philippines in Taguig City, Marcos said Tesla’s presence in the country not only supports environmental sustainability but also empowers the local workforce. (PCO Photo)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday encouraged Tesla to consider manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) in the Philippines as part of efforts to adopt a sustainable transport system and reduce carbon emissions.

During the launch of the Tesla Center Philippines in Taguig City, Marcos said Tesla’s presence in the country not only supports environmental sustainability but also empowers the local workforce.

“With plans to expand further, Tesla is building a generation of Filipinos equipped to lead in the global shift towards sustainable technologies,” Marcos said, noting that every hire by Tesla represents an investment in Filipino talent.

“It is our fervent hope that Tesla might one day choose to manufacture its vehicles in the Philippines,” he added.

Tesla officially entered the Philippines on Nov. 8, 2024, through its subsidiary, Tesla Motors Philippines Inc., making it its fourth market in Southeast Asia, following Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.

Marcos highlighted the recent inauguration of a cutting-edge facility for the production of advanced iron phosphate batteries, which are crucial for EV manufacturing.

He is optimistic that such developments would encourage more companies to invest in the sector.

Tesla’s entry into the Philippine market, Marcos said, is expected to spur local innovation and attract further investments in the EV industry.

The President also pointed to key government policies aimed at boosting sustainable transportation, including the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act, which removes excise taxes on battery electric vehicles, and the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, which offers incentives such as duty-free importation for charging stations and prioritization of EV registration.

EVs are the future

Marcos also declared that EVs are the future of the Philippines’ transportation system, calling Tesla’s entry into the market a significant step toward the country’s long-term environmental goals.

“In my lifetime, it has always been ICE or internal combustion engines that we are dealing with. But to see this is the future, this is the future – purely electric vehicles are the future and it is the future that we are striving for,” Marcos said.

Marcos said the Philippines, with its vulnerable geography, continues to bear the brunt of climate change impacts, and that addressing this requires swift, aggressive action.

Marcos, likewise, praised Tesla’s entry into the Philippine market as a major step forward in achieving these environmental objectives.

“While it is true that electric vehicles are currently seen as premium products, Tesla’s entry into the Philippine [market] signals much more than high-tech cars on the road,” he said.

“It is a step – a very significant step forward to our long-term transformation towards a more environment-friendly transportation system.”

Tesla’s presence, Marcos stressed, is a milestone that will help the Philippines transition to cleaner and more sustainable forms of mobility, setting the stage for future growth in the electric vehicle sector.

The Philippines is determined to continue on its path toward sustainable development, particularly in the transportation sector, as part of its broader efforts to fight climate change and secure a healthier future for the nation, the President reiterated.