Philippines' Transportation Agency to Impound E-bikes and E-trikes on Major Roads Starting December 1 - CleanTechnica

The Philippine Land Transportation Office (LTO) will begin enforcing a strict crackdown on electric bikes (e-bikes) and electric tricycles (e-trikes) operating on major roads starting December 1, with violators facing automatic impoundment. This policy shift, confirmed by LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao during Senate budget deliberations, aims to address road safety concerns and the lack of regulation surrounding many e-bike and e-trike operators, who are often unregistered, unlicensed, and uninsured. Senator Raffy Tulfo emphasized the need for licensing requirements for these operators and supported the zero-tolerance approach, while Acting Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez agreed to an initial public information campaign before full enforcement. However, ambiguity remains regarding the exact scope of the ban, particularly concerning the classification of "e-trikes." The term is used to describe both small household-use three-wheelers and larger, commercially operated electric tricycles that serve as public transportation