Easily the bane of many motorists in Metro Manila is the number coding scheme that prohibits vehicles from using the roads during peak hours based on the last digit of their plate number. This vehicle reduction program was implemented in the hopes of reducing traffic on our already congested roads. This means that those residing within the city or going to any destination inside coding zones have to consider what day of the week it is and whether their car is allowed.
As the effects of global warming are becoming more apparent, perhaps this new measure may actually convince motorists to be more mindful of their carbon emissions. To help hasten the adoption of electric vehicles , the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act law has been passed. This law provides for certain tax exemptions and several non-fiscal incentives for distributors and buyers of these cars.
According to the recently released implementing rules and regulations for the EVIDA law, electric vehicles are officially exempt from coding. In response, the MMDA has recently circulated a memo to its traffic enforcers instructing them not to apprehend any fully electric vehicles during their coding days.
Of course, because the latter two still have combustion engines, there may be some argument or explanation needed with the apprehending officer should you ever be pulled over. Perhaps the safest course of action is to wait for a list of exempted vehicles released by the government. For now, it will be a short one, but with many more brands already planning to offer one by next year, you can expect that list to grow.It’s certainly an encouraging sign from the government.