DOTr exec sees lower fuel prices with more electric vehicles

A Department of Transportation (DOTr) official on Sunday said prices per liter of fuel products could decrease should there be more electric vehicles plying the country’s roads.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, DOTr Executive Assistant to the Secretary Joni Gesmundo said that not only are e-vehicles environmentally friendly, but they could also be the potential “solution” to motorists’ long-standing problem of high fuel prices.

“Ito ang nakikita namin na solusyon [sa] problema sa tumataas na presyo ng gasolina na linggo linggo ay tumataas,” Gesmundo said.

(We see this as a solution to the problem of rising fuel prices that continue to increase week by week.)

“Ako, naniniwala ako personally, na kapag ito ay na-push natin na maraming marami ang gumagamit ng mga kotse na electric, bababa ang gasolina dahil matatakot ang mga oil companies dahil mawawalan na sila ng market,” he added.

(Personally, I believe that when we push for more people to use electric cars, prices of gasoline will decrease because the oil companies will be afraid that they will lose their market.)

Gesmundo, however, said that the push for more e-vehicles in the country should be controlled, considering that many people reportedly figured in accidents while onboard unregulated e-trikes and e-bikes.

“It's time to regulate itong mga e-bike, e-trike pero hindi nawawala ang kagustuhan namin sa DOTr na mag-shift tayo sa electric vehicles,” he said. 

(It's time to regulate these e-bikes and e-trikes, but DOTr also wishes for the public to shift to electric vehicles.) 

The ban on tricycles, puscharts, pedicabs, kuligligs, e-bikes, e-trikes, and light e-vehicles on some 20 national roads in Metro Manila took effect on Monday, April 15, 2024.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., however, ordered a grace period on the ban, during which violators will not be issued tickets and fines. —Giselle Ombay/RF, GMA Integrated News