LTO SUSPENDS REGISTRATION OF E-VEHICLES

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended the registration of light electric vehicles like e-bikes.

Accordimg to the LTO, the suspension aims to give more time to study the e-vehicles road worthiness.

“Of course at the soonest possible time, we would like to put up guidelines that will govern the usage of light electric vehicles in the event we find it road worthy. If they are roadworthy, that would not be a problem,” LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said.

The LTO issued last March Administrative No. VDM-2024-044 mandating the registration of all e- vehicles.

However, the LTO said the suspension order would not affect ordinances being implemented by local government units. 

If there are localities that ban the use of e-vehicles, it shall be followed, the LTO clarified. 

The Metro Manila Council composed of 17 mayors in the region, along with the Metro Manila Development Authority, approved a resolution prohibiting light electric vehicles on national roads and imposing a P2,500 fine in the National Capital Region.

Mendoza said road safety is paramount.

“Road safety is paramount. It cannot be that there is no light at the very least. There must also be a helmet so these are the standards that we have to put together,” he said.

According to Mendoza, there were requests to lower the age requirement for a driver’s license, especially in the provinces suffering from transportation shortage.