A Conversation on Going Electric: First e-mobility Talks opens the floor for honest questions about electric vehicles

As interest in electric vehicles (EVs) continues to grow across the Philippines, so do the questions surrounding them. Can EVs withstand flooding? Where can drivers charge them? How much maintenance do they really require? Are they practical for everyday life in the Metro?

These were just some of the questions explored during the first e-mobility Talks held on June 27, 2026, a public learning session organized by Clean Air Asia through the e-mobility ASAP Project, to create an open space for honest conversations and to make reliable, experience-based information on electric mobility more accessible to anyone curious about the e-mobility ecosystem. The event brought together industry experts and members of the public to discuss the topic, “Will EVs stall in a flood? And other honest questions about going electric in the Metro.”

Photo 1: The e-mobility Talks were conducted in Espresso Studio, a local cafe in Mandaluyong City

The audience reflected a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives – from young professionals to working adults, transport advocates, industry members, and individuals simply exploring whether an EV could fit into their daily lives. While participants arrived in the session with different levels of familiarity with electric mobility, many shared similar questions shaped by everyday experiences and common misconceptions.

Bringing the discussion closer to the public

Teddy Monroy, Country Representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) explained that the primary intent of the e-mobility Talks was to clarify common misconceptions and ongoing conversations surrounding EVs. He situated the discussion within the Philippines' broader transition toward renewable energy and sustainable transportation and highlighted how recent geopolitical events made the need to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels important and urgent.

Photo 2: UNIDO Country Representative Teddy Monroy gave a welcome message for the inaugural e-mobility Talks. UNIDO is one of the key implementing partners of the e-mobility ASAP Project

Ellaine Macalino, Senior Project Coordinator for the e-mobility ASAP Project, further contextualized the Talks within the greater goals of the Project – where various research efforts into the e-mobility ecosystem have led to a knowledge base that can be shared to a wider audience. It was emphasized that research and knowledge needed to be brought out from laptops and into public spaces such as the coffee shop where the event was being conducted, with the vision that technical work would become everyday answers.

Photo 3: Ellaine Macalino, Senior Project Coordinator for the e-mobility ASAP Project, gives a brief introduction and overview of the Project and its objectives 

An interactive “True or False” ice breaker activity for participants – featuring exaggerations of common EV-related myths set to humorous photos, from battery waterproofing to skyrocketing electricity bills – set the tone for the afternoon that all questions, no matter how seemingly simple, were welcome.

Photo 4: Participants' show of hands during an interactive ice breaker activity on EV myths

EV realities

Leading the main discussion was Jeun Rei Barlis, EV Expert, whose presentation unpacked the realities of EV ownership in the Philippine context, addressing common misconceptions and sharing practical insights drawn from industry knowledge and real-world experience.

From how different types of EVs work in everyday life to maintenance, safety, charging, and performance during floods, his talk focused on the questions that matter most to prospective users, such as how electric mobility can fit into their daily lives and what to consider when making the transition. As Capacity Building Module Development Consultant for the e-mobility ASAP Project, his presentation was based on the EV 101 modules currently being developed by the Project.

Photo 5: Jeun Rei Barlis, EV Expert and the resource speaker for the e-mobility Talks, begins his presentation centered around the theme, “Will EVs stall in a flood? And other honest questions about going electric in the Metro.”

To further encourage open discussions, a “Great Wall of EV Questions” was mounted for the afternoon. Participants were able to write down the biggest EV questions and myths in their minds, which were addressed after the presentation proper.

Photo 6: Kathleen Dematera-Contreras, Lead for the Scale-up of investments through partnerships, knowledge management and capacity building (Component 4) of the e-mobility ASAP project, assists in the discussion centered around the entries placed by participants on the “Great Wall of EV Questions”

Key takeaways

At the close of the session, participants were invited to write down future topics they would like to see discussed in future e-mobility Talks. They were also asked to write down one thing they learned from the event, as shared below:

Participants left with a stronger understanding of the link between carbon emissions, climate change, and the role that electric mobility can play in reducing transport-related emissions. Many also gained a clearer picture of how electric vehicles compare with conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, including their key specifications and advantages. Beyond the potential cost savings of owning an EV, participants recognized the importance of understanding battery care and the different charging options available to ensure a positive ownership experience.

For some, one of the biggest surprises was learning that certain electric vehicles can have a lower upfront purchase cost than comparable ICE vehicles, making EVs more accessible than they had previously assumed. Others discovered practical resources available to current and prospective EV owners, including a webpage managed by the Department of Energy that helps drivers locate public EV charging stations. The lower maintenance requirements of electric vehicles was also highlighted, gaining a better appreciation of how EV ownership can reduce servicing needs over time.

Finally, one of the highlighted questions of the session, the performance of EVs during floods, left participants with a more informed understanding of the real risks, helping separate common misconceptions from evidence-based information.

Photo 7: A participant writes down a topic they would like to see discussed in future e-mobility Talks

As the transition to cleaner transport continues, conversations like these play an important role in helping communities navigate new technologies with confidence. The e-Mobility Talks seeks to support more informed discussions around electric mobility and its role in improving air quality and building more sustainable cities. These may be achieved by making expert knowledge more approachable and creating opportunities for meaningful public engagement, through creating safe spaces for honest conversations.

Photo 8: A participant converses with EV Expert Jeun Barlis. The e-mobility Talks also serves as an avenue for connecting and community-building among participants with diverse backgrounds

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The Accelerating the Adoption and Scale-up of Electric Mobility for Low-Carbon City Development in the Philippines, or the e-mobility ASAP Project, is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Philippines, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Board of Investments (BOI), and executed by Clean Air Asia with its consortium partners De La Salle University (DLSU), Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), and Urban Electric Mobility Initiative (UEMI).

Contact the e-mobility ASAP project team through emobility@dti.gov.ph