PNP-HPG clears the air on DOE hybrid, EV certification issue

PNP-HPG: No need to personally obtain DOE certification for hybrid, EV owners

Yesterday, there was social media outrage coming from hybrids, EV owners, and the general motoring public. It was about the sweeping statements that PNP Highway Patrol Group Director Col. Hansel Marantan said regarding the inspection of vehicles with green license plates and their exemption from the number coding scheme.

The concern was pointed towards the PNP-HPG requiring owners of hybrids and EVs to secure certification from the Department of Energy (DOE) as a prerequisite for their cars to be exempt from number coding.

This looked to be an extra step that wants to supersede the DOE certification that was already sought by manufacturers and distributors as part of the homologation process before introducing EVs and hybrids in the market. But now, the PNP-HPG is trying to clear the air regarding the issue.

The agency has issued a press release today, clarifying that the PNP-HPG director’s earlier statements were intended to emphasize their commitment to ensuring that only legitimately recognized electric and hybrid vehicles enjoy the benefits provided by law, and that the statement was directed towards preventing the misuse or falsification of green license plates.

There have been reports and images of vehicles having unauthorized use of green plates to pass off as coding exempt. And for this reason, the PNP-HPG says they are compelled to act whenever such issues are reported, as part of its mandate to ensure fairness and accountability on the road.

However, for legitimate hybrids and EV owners, the PNP-HPG says they will not conduct apprehensions or inspections without proper grounds or evidence.

PNP-HPG has also clarified that there’s no need for hybrids and EV owners to personally obtain certification from the DOE, as they say they fully support the EVIDA law and the synergy between DOE and LTO in identifying vehicles entitled to have green plates and their corresponding privileges, including the exemption from the number coding scheme.

In fact, the DOE has also released a statement earlier today explaining that motorists who have an electrified vehicle need not get a certification, as they have already been certified by the agency.

Hopefully, this would put an end to the initial confusion caused by the earlier statements, and that PNP-HPG could improve its inter-agency collaboration with DOE and LTO from here on out.