We all know that RA 11697 AKA the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act exempts hybrids and electric vehicles from MMDA Coding. The problem, though, is that not all law enforcers are aware of how to properly identify them. With the Single Ticketing System now in effect, and with Coding included in potential violations, the Metro Manila Development Authority has asked for the help of the LTO on this matter.
MMDA asks LTO for a list of certified EVs and hybrids for Coding exemption
Photo: Nissan
The Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program, more commonly referred to as MMDA Coding, aims to reduce the number of vehicles on major Metro Manila thoroughfares daily. Since the passing of EVIDA into law, though, its provision for the exemption of electric vehicles (EV) and Hybrid vehicles was also put into effect.
The main problem is that there is no easily identifiable marker to distinguish these types of vehicles, and enforcers would still hail them to the side of the road. It’s in this light that the MMDA has requested the LTO’s help and to provide them with a certified list of all EVs and Hybrids that are qualified to be exempted from Coding.
In an interview, MMDA Acting Chairman Don Artes replied to concerns regarding the flagging of these types of vehicles, as well as the potential danger for the agency’s constables that they might get hit by moving traffic while trying to hail the supposed Coding-exempted ones.
“…dapat makipag-coordinate kami sa LTO kasi sila po and nagse-certify kung ano po iyung exempted. Kasi syempre hindi naman po namin alam kung anong mga modelo ng kotse iyung mga electronic (sic) vehicles na exempted sa Number Coding. … Makikipag-ugnayan po kami … sa LTO para makuha iyung make, iyung model para mo maiwasan ang ganyang pangyayari [we have to coordinate with the LTO because they are the ones certifying who is exempted. We don’t know what electric vehicle models are exempted from Number Coding. We will coordinate with LTO to get the make and model(s) to avoid these incidents],” Artes said.
Photo: Subaru
As it stands, there is a slightly gray area pertaining to this exemption. Under the IRR of the EVIDA, the MMDA Coding exemption will apply to electric vehicles (EV), battery electric vehicles (BEV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), light electric vehicles (LEV), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). For vehicle models that are specifically listed as one of the above, then they’re in the clear. There is one hybrid technology that is missing from this list, though, and that is the mild hybrid vehicle. According to the Department of Energy, any type of hybrid vehicle not mentioned in the list above will not be exempted from Coding.
Ultimately, the certification and the handling of these vehicles’ MMDA Coding exemption falls on the LTO. Until the list has been given, the MMDA’s enforcers are properly informed and educated, and all other provisions for Coding exemption have been worked out, you simply have to comply with being pulled over, get your license and vehicle registration ready, and be polite towards the apprehending officer. That shouldn’t be a big problem, right?
