Philippines

Announced on July 19, 2025, Evro, the e-Mobility Service Provider (eMSP), unveiled its partnership with Shell Pilipinas Corporation to bring Shell Recharge stations onto its platform.

The move introduces the Philippines’ first true roaming collaboration between major Charge Point Operators (CPOs), enabling Evro users to tap into Shell’s charging stations alongside other networks, all within a single app.

Following a signing ceremony on July 10, the initial phase covers ten Shell Recharge locations, starting with Seven | NEO in Taguig. A full national rollout is targeted for completion by September.

With this integration, the Evro app lets EV owners find, access, track, and pay for charging sessions across various providers. The partnership also extends user reach to 30 Shell charging points nationwide, covering fuel stations, malls, and other commercial sites.

(From Evro social media updates and an article of Manilastandard.net on July 19, 2025)

Reported on July 8, 2025, pickup trucks in the Philippines are no longer exempt from excise tax (starting July 1), following the implementation of the Capital Market Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA). 

This law amends the National Internal Revenue Code to remove pickups from the list of exempt vehicles, which now only includes purely electric vehicles. 

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has instructed auto manufacturers, importers, and assemblers to submit inventories of all pickup units as of June 30, 2025, including those in transit, to ensure compliance.

(From an article of Inquirer.net on July 8, 2025)

Announced on June 29, 2025, BJ Mercantile Inc. (BJM) has officially launched the THACO Cruizer 125 in the Philippines, marking the beginning of its strategic partnership with Vietnam’s THACO AUTO. Designed for both urban and long-distance routes, the Cruizer 125 introduces advanced technology and modern design to the Philippines’ public transport sector.

The partnership was formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on June 27, appointing BJM as the exclusive distributor of THACO trucks and buses in the Philippines.

Through this collaboration, BJM will offer a full range of THACO vehicles, including buses with seating capacities from 29 to 47 seats, VIP variants seating 20 to 29 passengers, and sleeper buses with 22 to 36 cabins. The truck lineup includes light- and medium-duty models, dump trucks, and specialty vehicles with payloads ranging from 1.49 to 14.7 tons.

THACO began exploring the Philippine market in 2017 and, in 2019, became the first Southeast Asian company to export buses to the Philippines.

The addition of THACO further strengthens BJM’s expanding automotive portfolio, which includes Scania, Ashok Leyland, Fuso, and Hongqi.

(From BJ Mercantile social media updates (I / II) and an article of CarGuide.PH on June 29, 2025)