DAGUPAN CITY—An official of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has warned persons using light electric vehicles (LEV) on government roads.

LTO Urdaneta City Chief Danny Martinez told the KBP Forum here that if LEV users figure in road accidents, they have no chance of winning cases filed in court because their units are not properly registered as motor vehicles and are, therefore, not authorized to be driven on government roads.

But he pointed out that unless and until government establishes the terms to have the LEV registered, no registration can be done.

Although it was agreed in 2006 that all LEV should have vehicle identification numbers, he said the government’s dilemma revolves around the old definition of what makes a motor vehicle to be registered.

Legally, a motor vehicle using the public highway has three components: engine number, chassis number and the body; and unlike bicycles that use muscular power, motor vehicles are propelled by any power.

These e-bikes and e-trikes cannot be registered because these have no chassis and engine numbers, Martinez said.

The problem now is even if owners of e-vehicles want to register their LEV, LTO cannot comply because the LEV lack one component, he added.

He also clarified that LTO cannot confiscate e-bikes on the public roads because these are not considered motor vehicles.

Martinez advised LEV drivers to use their LEV on national road only to traverse or cross the road.

He assured LEV owners that while the LTO is looking into all scenarios to protect them, the dealers and the manufacturers, LTO is also studying how it can align itself with the program of the Department of Energy (DOE) in promoting the use of electric vehicles to save on energy and fuel. (Tita Roces/PIA-Pangasinan)

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