Filipinos show the strongest environmental motivation in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region when considering electric and other new-energy vehicles, according to a study by global automotive distributor Inchcape plc.
The study found that 82% of Filipino consumers would consider buying a New Energy Vehicle (NEV) purely for environmental reasons, the highest level recorded among seven Asia-Pacific markets surveyed.
The findings come from the Drivers of Change research conducted by the company’s Centre for the Future of Mobility, which surveyed nearly 3,600 respondents across seven APAC markets.
Despite strong environmental intent, NEV ownership in the Philippines currently stands at 14%, suggesting that the country is still in the early stages of its transition toward electrified mobility.
“The shift to sustainable mobility in the Philippines is happening in a very pragmatic way,” said Alex Hammett, managing director, South Asia & Pacific, Inchcape. “Filipino consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental benefits of electrification, but their decisions are ultimately shaped by practicality: affordability, reliability, and how a vehicle supports everyday mobility.”
Hammett said this practical mindset explains why hybrid vehicles are emerging as the preferred pathway for many buyers.
“That is why a multi-pathway approach, offering both hybrids and full electric vehicles, is important to accelerate adoption,” he said.
The study also highlights how mobility plays a key economic role for Filipino consumers. The Philippines is the only market in the survey where work access outranks convenience as the main reason for owning a car.
Among near-term buyers, 81% cited work access as their top motivation, while 59% said owning a vehicle expands their ability to reach better job opportunities located farther away.
Hybrid vehicles are widely seen as a practical transition technology. Eighty-two percent (82%) of Filipino respondents said hybrids provide the ideal balance between cost efficiency and environmental benefits, higher than the 69% regional average.