Subic Freeport eyes over 2,000 EV shipments monthly

IBA, Zambales — More than 2,000 electric vehicles could pass through the Subic Bay Freeport a month, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) anticipates, as demand for electric vehicles in the country rises.

In a statement on Monday, the SBMA said the projection follows the recent arrival of 100 vehicles, 80 hybrid and 20 fully electric, in what the agency described as the first delivery of a major electric vehicle brand to the Freeport.

The SBMA declined to identify the vehicle brand.

READ: EVs continue to defy auto sales downturn

The shipment will be distributed to the consignee’s accredited dealerships in the coming weeks. The consignee plans to increase shipments to more than 500 units weekly, with projected revenue of P6.8 million per month, according to the SBMA.

“With its strategic location, well-established port infrastructure, and Freeport designation, Subic Bay provides significant opportunities for businesses involved in importing, exporting, distributing, and handling electric vehicles and related components,” said Ronnie Yambao, SBMA senior deputy administrator for operations and logistics.

The agency said Subic’s location in Central Luzon makes it accessible to major commercial centers, industrial zones, and transportation networks across the country. 

Its port and logistics facilities can support international shipments of electric passenger cars, commercial vehicles, electric motorcycles and EV components.

For importers and distributors, the port offers cargo handling, warehousing, freight forwarding, and customs brokerage services to facilitate the transfer of vehicles from overseas manufacturers to Philippine markets, the SBMA said.

The agency also cited opportunities in storage, inspection, inventory management, and distribution of EVs, as well as the supply of electric vans, utility vehicles, and buses for commercial fleets.

READ: DOE aims to install 7,000 EV charging points nationwide before 2028

Subic could also support the EV components and battery industry by moving charging equipment, replacement parts, and battery-related products, subject to applicable transport and safety regulations.

“Another significant opportunity lies in re-export and regional logistics, by exploring avenues to consolidate and transfer eligible vehicle shipments to other markets, in compliance with customs and trade regulations,” Yambao said.

The anticipated increase in shipments comes as electrified vehicles account for a growing share of the Philippine automotive market.

Citing Department of Energy data, the SBMA said 66,685 electric vehicles were sold nationwide from January to August 2026, accounting for 24.7 percent of vehicle sales during the period, up from 12 percent in 2025 and 4 percent in 2024.

SBMA said 29,649 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, 20,716 hybrid electric vehicles and 16,320 battery electric vehicles were purchased during that period. 

The SBMA attributed the industry’s growth to the national government’s push for a shift from conventional fuel-powered vehicles to electric mobility, as well as rising fuel costs amid geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East.

READ: Gov’t sets sights on EVs made in PH to cut oil imports

Public transportation is also shifting toward electric mobility. Within the Subic Bay Freeport, the SBMA has deployed electric buses for public transportation and installed five to six major public and private EV charging stations as part of its commitment to carbon neutrality./coa