Forget your macho gas-guzzlers—the hottest commodity on the streets today may be alternative-fuel vehicles, especially electric vehicles (EVs) with zero direct carbon emissions. The United Nations itself is pushing for it, with its Urban Electric Mobility Initiative, launched September 2014, aimed at increasing the number of electric vehicles in cities to at least 30 percent of all new vehicles sold annually by 2030, and making cities friendly to their use.
For our part, the Department of Energy has committed to putting 100,000 electric tricycles, or e-trikes, into operation by 2017, starting with 20,000 units in 2015. Never mind the delay in awarding the grant for the first 3,000 units, which is currently undergoing a renewed bidding process ending January; moreover, the Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines wants a million EVs out by 2020.
The country’s first e-jeepney debuted in Makati City in 2008, thanks to the initiative of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (iCSC), a non-profit group “focused on sustainable energy solutions and fair climate policy.” This eventually became the first commercial e-jeepney fleet franchise in 2012. From seven vehicles, they now have 20 plying three loops dubbed the Makati Green Routes.
Anthony Dy, managing director of Global Electric Transport Philippines, says solving Manila’s transport problems starts with replacing jeepneys, which 40 percent of commuters ride, with EVs. They’re targeting 1,500 e-jeepneys out next year. Potential owners only pay P50,000 initially, due to a 10-year financing scheme and battery lease program.
Teddy Arellano, associate for special projects at the iCSC, says investment cost is offset by savings on fuel and potential damage wrought by climate change. “For every $1 you spend on mitigation and adaptation activities, [you save] $4 spent on helping communities na nasalanta ng bagyo,” he says.
iCSC recently introduced solar-powered e-jeepneys in the cities of Makati and Tacloban. In the latter case, they built a hybridized solar facility generating 9.75 kilowatts of energy, more than enough to power four operational e-jeepneys, and the three multicabs they’re converting into e-jeepneys, with the bonus function of being mobile charging stations.
Engr. Ferdinand Raquelsantos, president of the Philippine Utility Vehicle (PhUV) Inc., manufacturer of e-tricycles and e-jeepneys, and supplier of the first batch of e-jeepneys in Makati as well as Tacloban, says they’re in negotiations with a franchise holder in Filinvest, Alabang and another plying the Cubao-Antipolo route. There’s also considerable interest from new franchise applicants, as he claims return on investment takes three and a half years.
EVs are gaining traction in villages and subdivisions, adds Raquelsantos, apart from local government units (LGUs) and barangays whose officials are sold on addressing both the emissions problem and noise pollution.
Another local player, Green Frog Zero Emissions Transport, operates hybrid buses plying Makati City, and recently extended to a route covering the Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Managing director Philip Go Apostol claims the hybrid bus only costs 20 percent more than an ordinary diesel bus, but emits 90 percent less pollution, while extending fuel efficiency from one kilometer per liter to 1.8 to 2.4 kms per liter. A new route from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 to Makati City opens next year. “Once that’s working, we’ll open up Mandaluyong [routes],” points out Apostol.
Apostol, a balikbayan and ardent advocate of public transportation reform, urges more government support for green rides. “[Regulators and LGUs] just have to pass laws and ordinances that only environment-friendly public utility vehicles meeting Euro 4 emissions standards can operate,” he says. “In one stroke of the pen, our air will clear up immediately. The quality of commute will lift up to first-world standards,” he says.
An excerpt from the feature, "Challenge Accepted," originally published in the December 2014-January 2015 issue of Entrepreneur Philippines.
Photo by Jonathan Baldonado.