On a humid afternoon in Pasig City, a lone electric jeepney glides past a line of idling diesel vehicles, its quiet hum barely audible over the din of traffic. It’s a glimpse of a future many Southeast Asian cities aspire to—but one that remains frustratingly out of reach.
Across the region, governments have pledged net-zero emissions, recognising the urgent need to decarbonise transport. Public transportation, a lifeline for millions, is central to this transition. Yet despite climate imperatives and growing urban congestion, the shift to electric and low-emission public vehicles has been slow, uneven, and riddled with systemic challenges.
Let’s explore the current state of green vehicle adoption in Southeast Asia’s public transport systems—mapping the barriers, spotlighting country-level efforts, and examining the opportunities that could unlock a more sustainable future.
The Regional Landscape
Southeast Asia’s transport sector is a major contributor to urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In cities like Hanoi, Jakarta, and Manila, smog and traffic congestion are daily realities. With most ASEAN member states committing to net-zero goals, electrifying public transport is no longer optional—it’s essential.
According to the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), buses account for over 50% of public transport trips globally. Electrifying these fleets could dramatically reduce emissions and improve urban air quality. Yet, in Southeast Asia, electric buses (e-buses) represent a tiny fraction of total fleets.
Statista projects that bus sales in the region will reach just 10,930 units in 2025, with a modest annual growth rate of 1.8%. While demand for cleaner, more efficient vehicles is rising, the market remains constrained by affordability, infrastructure, and policy fragmentation.
Barriers to Adoption
Infrastructure Gaps
Charging infrastructure is uneven across the region. While Singapore plans over 2,000 charging stations by 2025, countries like the Philippines and Indonesia lag far behind. Grid reliability, especially in rural areas, further complicates deployment.
Economic Constraints
EVs remain prohibitively expensive for many operators. Battery costs—though declining globally—still account for nearly half the vehicle price. In Thailand, early EV models cost upwards of US$65,000. Without direct purchase subsidies (common in China and Europe), Southeast Asian buyers face steep financial hurdles.
Fossil fuel subsidies also distort the market. In Malaysia, Transport Minister Anthony Loke noted that Euro 5 diesel buses are still preferred due to lower costs, despite the country’s energy transition goals.
Policy Fragmentation
While some countries have ambitious targets, implementation is inconsistent. Indonesia aims for 90% electrification of urban fleets by 2030, yet only 124 e-buses were operational as of mid-2024. The Philippines set a goal of 1 million EVs by 2020—but fell drastically short.
Local-national disconnects, unclear standards, and slow regulatory updates hinder progress. Few countries offer comprehensive incentives for public transport electrification, and most rely on pilot programs without long-term funding.
Informal Transport Ecosystems
In cities like Manila and Ho Chi Minh, informal transport—jeepneys, tricycles, motorbikes—dominates. These vehicles are deeply embedded in local economies and culture, making electrification politically and socially complex. Retrofitting or replacing them requires sensitive, inclusive strategies.
Country Spotlights
Singapore: Policy Precision
Singapore leads the region in EV adoption. In March 2025, its Land Transport Authority announced the addition of 660 new electric buses, bringing the total battery-powered fleet to 1,140 out of 5,800 vehicles. The city-state offers rebates of up to S$20,000 for low-emission vehicles and supports private EV ownership through initiatives like BlueSG, a ride-sharing platform with over 400 electric cars.
Yet scalability remains a challenge. Singapore’s success is rooted in its compact geography, strong governance, and high fiscal capacity—conditions not easily replicated elsewhere.
Thailand: Industrial Ambition
Thailand aims to electrify all public transport by 2030. With support from the Asian Development Bank, the country launched a USD 110 million program to deploy 1,200 locally manufactured e-buses. Energy Absolute, a private firm, plans to roll out 5,000 EVs and build 700+ charging stations.
The government offers tax breaks and incentives for manufacturers, making Thailand the most advanced in regional EV policy. However, consumer adoption remains slow, and rural infrastructure gaps persist.
Vietnam: Quiet Momentum
Vietnam targets 100% clean energy buses and taxis by 2050. While only 3% of its fleet is electric, VinBus reports that 89% of commuters on its routes use e-buses. Strategic route planning—connecting residential areas to city centers—has boosted ridership.
Still, scaling remains difficult. The country must accelerate procurement and infrastructure development to meet its ambitious goals.
Indonesia: Lofty Goals, Limited Progress
Indonesia plans full electrification of public transport by 2045. Transjakarta, its largest bus system, operates 4,775 low-entry electric buses across 244 routes. Yet only 124 e-buses are confirmed to be in operation.
ITDP’s roadmap with the Ministry of Transportation outlines a USD 2.5 billion investment to deploy 6,600 e-buses across 11 cities by 2030. Execution, however, remains uncertain.
Malaysia: Innovation Meets Hesitation
Malaysia has introduced premium electric buses on routes like the Taiping Heritage Trail and the Desa Tasik-LRT corridor. Prasarana, the state transport company, acquired 250 e-buses in 2024 and plans to add 1,000 more by 2030.
Despite these efforts, the government has paused electrification under the BAS.MY program due to high costs. Autonomous e-bus pilots and dedicated EV corridors show promise, but broader adoption is stalled by fiscal caution.
Philippines: Grassroots Innovation
While current data is not yet available, the Philippines is estimated to have more than 1,400 e-jeepneys and e-trikes operating in 19 locations, according to a 2018 report. Cities like Iloilo and Pasig are testing electric public transport, often with donor support. Yet the country’s fragmented transport ecosystem and lack of cohesive policy make scaling difficult.
The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines acknowledges missing its 2020 target of 1 million EVs, but sees hope in recent modernisation efforts.
Emerging Models and Opportunities
Despite the challenges, Southeast Asia is not without momentum.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Thailand’s Energy Absolute and Malaysia’s Prasarana show how private capital can accelerate deployment.
- Donor Support: ADB loans and ITDP technical assistance are helping cities pilot and refine e-bus strategies.
- Solar Integration: Cities like Mérida, Mexico (a global case) are pairing e-buses with photovoltaic power plants—a model Southeast Asia could emulate.
- Blended Finance: Colombia’s USD 7.5 billion fund for e-buses offers a template for ASEAN nations seeking diverse investment channels.
Pooling procurement across cities, as ITDP recommends, could reduce costs and improve bargaining power. Regional cooperation on standards and supply chains could further unlock scale.
What Comes Next for Southeast Asia’s Green Transit Revolution?
The road to electrified public transport in Southeast Asia is long, uneven, and politically fraught. But it is also essential.
Climate deadlines loom. Urban populations swell. Informal transport persists. The region must move beyond pilots and pledges toward systemic transformation—one that centers equity, resilience, and public good.
Who bears the cost of transition? How do we electrify without erasing informal livelihoods? What does “green” mean in a region where diesel still fuels daily life?
As the electric jeepney in Pasig turns a corner, its quiet hum reminds us: the future is possible—but only if we choose to build it.
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