The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended the impounding of electric vehicles, particularly electric bikes and tricycles (e-bikes, e-trikes), that will be caught operating on national highways on Monday, December 1.
In a video statement on Sunday, LTO chief Markus Lacanilao said the ‘strict enforcement’ of the impounding of e-vehicles on national roads will be extended to January 2, 2026.
According to Lacanilao, what will happen on Monday will be the agency’s ‘information drive’ to make motorists aware that e-vehicles are prohibited from operating on national roads.
‘In response to public complaints, I would like to clarify that our President, Bongbong Marcos and [acting transportation] Secretary Giovanni Lopez have heard your concerns. Therefore, there will be no impounding operation for the time being while we implement a comprehensive information drive to give everyone enough time to understand and comply with the existing regulations,’ Lacanilao said.
‘We will issue guidelines and information campaigns to clarify where LEVs (Light Electric Vehicles) are allowed and prohibited,’ he added.
Lacanilao said that starting on Monday, enforcers and personnel of the LTO will be visible on the roads to promote the information drive and explain to motorists the proper use of e-vehicles.
On January 2 next year, the LTO chief said the strict impounding of e-vehicles and apprehension for those who violate the ban on the national highways will already be implemented, emphasizing that ‘there will no longer be an extension.’
‘Ultimately, the LTO has only one goal, not to inconvenience the public, but to ensure that our roads are safe, well-maintained, and with clear responsibilities for every user, including users of e-bikes, e-trikes, and other LEVs,’ said Lacanilao.
Last Friday, Lacanilao announced that e-bikes and e-trikes will be banned on national highways after citing accidents involving the vehicles, noting that this will be for the safety of everyone.