ASEAN-US Workshop: Integrated Approaches to Scaling Up Electric Mobility Summary Report

As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) seeks to meet nationally determined contributions, the transportation sector represents one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Most ASEAN countries are pursuing electrification of cars, buses, trains, two- and three-wheelers, and other modes of transportation. The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) has many benefits: it can reduce both GHG emissions and local air pollution, increase energy security for countries that are reliant on liquid fuel imports, and create manufacturing and export opportunities. Despite high EV potential, there are still several barriers to EV adoption across the region—most ASEAN member states lack EV charging infrastructure, are dependent on fossil fuels for electricity generation, lack incentives and policies for private sector growth, and do not have clear regulatory and safety standards. Cooperation among ASEAN member states and between government ministries is essential to accelerating EV adoption in the region. Under this context, from September 19–22, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Southeast Asia Smart Power Program (SPP), U.S. Department of State’s Global Climate Action Partnership (implemented by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Lab [NREL]), and the U.S. Department of Transportation partnered with the ASEAN Land Transport Working Group (LTWG) and the ASEAN Centre for Energy to host the ASEAN-U.S. Workshop: Integrated Approaches to Scaling Up Electric Mobility. The 3.5-day workshop convened 162 participants from ministries of energy, transport, and environment, as well as power sector regulators and utilities from eight ASEAN countries. The workshop featured leading experts from governments, global nongovernmental organizations, and leading private sector players from across ASEAN to speak on e-mobility in the region, including the United Nations Environment Program, United Nations Development Program, and Asian Development Bank, among others.

Goals and Objectives of the Workshop

EVs are a proven technology that is scaling globally in line with countries’ decarbonization goals. Because EV adoption is in the early stages in many ASEAN countries, this workshop aimed to support government technical experts, regulators, policymakers, and private sector stakeholders to make data-informed policy decisions that will support a holistic and sustainable transition to EVs. In line with this goal, participants undertook activities to:

• Exchange knowledge on the opportunities and challenges of EV implementation
• Gain an up-to-date understanding of the status of EV policies, targets, and implementation efforts across ASEAN
• Increase knowledge to gather and apply local data (e.g., emission factor, travel patterns) through best-in-class tools for decision-making
• Learn about the need for strong multi-stakeholder coordination to account for the impact of the EV transition on the transport and energy sectors while also ensuring e-mobility promotes sustainable economic growth
• Gain actionable insights into how to increase cross-ministerial cooperation in developing and implementing EV policies
• Hear from private sector actors within ASEAN and increase awareness of leading practices and case studies to create an enabling environment for the private sector.

Executive Summary

After 3.5 days of collaboration and exchange, participants expressed interest in an ASEAN-wide e-mobility road map and identified key components of such a road map. Some common themes to include in the road map were the need to define emissions reduction targets and address air pollution, enable better EV and EV battery supply chains (including production and assembly), build a regional workforce for the EV ecosystem, and develop physical and regulatory infrastructure (e.g., standards) to harmonize EV adoption. This workshop provided a unique and important forum for stakeholders across the energy and transportation sectors to come together to discuss the opportunities, challenges, and solutions for an equitable transition to lowcarbon energy and transportation solutions in ASEAN.

For next steps, participants identified the following priorities:

• Regional collaboration on EV supply chain, especially battery manufacturing, recycling, reuse, and other end-of-life management approaches
• Continued dialogue at the regional level between government bodies and the private sector on topics including vehicle manufacture, interoperable and universal EV charging station (EVCS) development, and clean grid expansion, given each ASEAN country is at a different stage of EV implementation
• Need for further engagement on cybersecurity issues related to the grid, EVCS, and EVs
• Conducting life cycle and sustainability assessments for EVs to understand waste, water, and GHG emission impact, given the variable grid emission factors in each country
• Interest in more training on EV/grid integration, managed charging, and vehicle-to-grid methodologies and good practices
• Incorporating equity and social inclusion into EV planning and policymaking.