The Department of Energy (DOE) is intensifying efforts to expand the country’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network, with both government initiatives and private sector investments set to dramatically increase nationwide coverage and address growing concerns over “range anxiety.”
Expanding national network
DOE Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino said the country’s charging infrastructure continues to grow steadily. “To date, if my memory serves me correctly, we’re more than 1,296 [charging points],” he said.
These figures are publicly tracked on evindustry.ph, the DOE’s online monitoring platform. Aquino added that the total is expected to rise further by the end of the year: “By year end we will be close to 1,300 or 1,400 hopefully charging points nationwide.”
Private sector push to double capacity
Aquino noted that major private sector rollouts will play a key role in the rapid expansion. “We’ve talked to several players that are rolling out charging stations nationwide. One intense rollout [is] close to 2,000, another one, another thousand,” he said.
According to Aquino, these developments could effectively double the existing national capacity within the next year. “By next year, probably double that already,” he added, expressing confidence that the surge in installations will make EV ownership more practical and sustainable.
Mandated installations to address range anxiety
To further strengthen the network, Aquino said the DOE is preparing to implement mandated charging facilities in critical locations. “To further support the concerns of our public with respect to range anxiety, we’re scheduled to do public consultations to trigger the mandated installations for designated establishments,” he explained.
The proposed mandates will cover “public buildings, private buildings, malls, expressways, and even gasoline stations,” Aquino said, adding that the rollout “will be done in a phased approach.”
Public consultations are expected to begin “probably through next month,” he noted. Once finalized, the policy is expected to accelerate the deployment of charging stations nationwide, ensuring that EV users can travel longer distances with greater confidence.
