Government officials, industry leaders and electric vehicle (EV) associations from across Southeast Asia gathered in Makati City on Wednesday for the opening of the ASEAN EV Conference 2026, with discussions focused on strengthening regional cooperation and accelerating the growth of the electric mobility industry.
Held under the theme “Driving ASEAN Forward,” the two-day conference brings together key stakeholders to discuss policies, investments, infrastructure and supply chain development needed to support wider EV adoption across the region.
The event is jointly organized by the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), the Department of Energy (DOE), MERALCO, Meralco Power Academy and the e-mobility ASAP Project through Clean Air Asia. It follows the Philippine EV Summit held on October 22 to 24 and forms part of activities during the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship.
EVAP President Willy Tee Ten said closer cooperation among ASEAN countries will be essential to developing a competitive and sustainable electric mobility industry.
“No country can decarbonize alone. No country can build a complete EV supply chain alone. No country can train a future-ready workforce alone. We must move as one region, with one vision and one shared commitment to a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable regional economy,” Tee Ten told delegates.
He said the conference aims to connect the Philippines’ electric mobility priorities with opportunities for cooperation across Southeast Asia, adding that discussions should go beyond increasing EV sales and look at how the country can play a bigger role in the regional industry.
Asian Federation of Electric Vehicle Associations (AFEVA) President Edmund Araga also welcomed the international delegations, highlighting the wider economic and environmental benefits of electric mobility.
He said the shift to electric vehicles can help improve air quality, strengthen energy security, create jobs, attract investments and make transportation systems more resilient.
However, he stressed that these benefits will depend on coordinated efforts across the industry, including supportive government policies, reliable charging infrastructure, financing, local manufacturing, supply chain development and workforce training.
Department of Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin presented the latest figures on EV adoption and charging infrastructure in the Philippines, while calling for closer cooperation among ASEAN countries in four key areas: charging interoperability, harmonized standards, technology transfer and cross-border supply chains.
Garin said progress in these areas could reduce market barriers, make regional industries more competitive and open new opportunities for Philippine businesses.
She also urged delegates from government, industry and the investment community to use the conference to develop concrete partnerships and commitments.
“For the Department of Energy, the priority is clear: an electric mobility ecosystem that is accessible, reliable, and built around mobility consumers,” Garin said.
Other speakers included representatives from the Department of Transportation, Board of Investments, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in the Philippines. Discussions covered the region’s energy, transport, industrial, fiscal and climate policies.
In the afternoon, AFEVA members and representatives from ASEAN countries shared updates on their respective EV markets and explored opportunities for cooperation in manufacturing, charging standards, trade and investment.
The conference continues on November 12 with four roundtable discussions covering transport modernization and business models, policy and social readiness, grid integration and charging infrastructure, and supply chains and sustainability.
The event will conclude with a synthesis of the discussions and closing remarks.
About EVAP
The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) is an industry association advocating the growth and development of the electric vehicle sector in the Philippines. It works with government, industry players and other stakeholders to advance electric mobility and sustainable transportation solutions nationwide.
For more information, visit www.evap.com.ph or follow EVAP on Facebook.
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