E-Trike, E-Bike Registration
Owners and users of e-trikes, e-bikes, and other light electric vehicles
have been given a grace period before they can be fined or penalized for
violating the ban on their use on 21 identified main thoroughfares in
Metro Manila.
The grace period, as ordered by the President himself, is supposed to raise
awareness and understanding among e-trike and e-bike owners about where and
why they are banned, and perhaps more specifics of the implementing
guidelines for the ban.
Among details that owners of e-trikes and e-bikes should know are those
concerning the need to register their vehicles if they want to use them on
public roads.
Previous Land Transportation Office Administrative Orders listed the
following classifications of light electric vehicles that need to be
registered and be operated by licensed drivers:
- Personal mobility scooter (PMS)
- Electric Kick Scooter
- E-Bikes, E-Moped 2W (up to a maximum speed of 25 kph)
- Light E-Scooter, E-Moped 2W (up to a maximum speed of 50 kph)
- E-Scooter, E-Moped 3W (L2a category)
- E-Scooter, E-Moped 3W (L2b category)
- E-Motorcycle
- E-Trike or 3-Wheeled E-vehicle
- E-Quad
E-trike and e-bike owners who'd want to be sure which category their
vehicles fall under should look up LTO Administrative Order No. 2021-039.
However, there are exemptions that the LTO that light e-vehicle owners need
to be aware of.
Under the implementing guidelines for the ban, light electric vehicles used
exclusively on private roads are not covered by registration requirements.
Also needing clarification is the provision in the implementing guidelines
that says e-bikes, e-kick scooters, and other electric-powered devices
weighing less than 50 kilograms may still use established bike lanes.
Does this mean, such vehicles can go on the major thoroughfares listed in
the ban that already have established bike lanes?
Another thing that e-bike and e-scooter users need to be aware of are the
new guidelines on wearing of helmets.
Under the new guidelines, drivers or riders of all two-wheeled electric
vehicles are required to wear protective helmets, similar to those designed
for motorcycle riders.
Buyers are advised to ask retailers or distributors of e-vehicles listed as
needing registration for use on public roads whether their products have
been officially classified by the LTO.
The LTO requires manufacturers, assemblers, and importers of e-vehicles to
required to submit specifications of each model to determine their
classification and registration fees.
Under LTO regulations, e-vehicle users need the following documents to
process their registration (some of which should be made available by the
sellers themselves):
-Original Sales Invoice
-Certificate of Stock Reported
-Original PNP-HPG MV Clearance
-Appropriate Insurance Certificate of Cover
-Proof of roadworthiness
Ideally initial registration of e-trike and other e-vehicles (if needed)
should be facilitated by the distributor or retailers much like the process
for buying of other motor vehicles.
The popularity of e-trikes and other light electric vehicles have surged,
helped along by retailers saying these can used on roads - private or
public - without need for registration or a license to drive. Will the ban
and stricter guidelines affect the e-trike's popularity? This we'll have
to see once - or if - authorities strictly enforces the ban.