E-Jeepney / Electric Vehicles in the Philippines

Is it time to get your e-car or hybrid car?

The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) is targeting to see one million electric vehicles on the roads by 2020. A daunting mission to achieve but if the government and its citizens fully see the potentials of this technology, we can achieve this if not surpassed the target.

Successful projects involving electric vehicles (EVs) are the e-tricycle projects initiated by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and local governments of Cavite, Mandaluyong and Boracay.

The use of e-jeepney has also gained momentum in Makati and Alabang. Around Alabang Filinvest area, you can see e-jeepney called “360 Eco-Loop” plying the route to West Gate area.

La Salle's Electric Shuttle Transport System

In huge campuses of De La Salle University (DLSU) particularly in DLSU-Dasmarinas, the electric vehicle transport program called “Ikot La Salle E-Jeep” (La Salle E-Jeep Shuttle Transport System) covers about 24-hectare of the university ‘s property. Ateneo de Manila similarly has adopted the electric shuttle transport system and have 11 stops within its campus. 

Ateneo's Electric Shuttle Transport System

Around these e-transportation projects, we see an increasing number of public charging stations. It other countries where e-vehicles are getting more common, you can see public charging stations at parking lots of the supermarkets or malls.

Parking lots reserve for e-vehicles seen in US Supermarkets

The government should push for incentives on the use of electric cars whether for public or private use. The legislative should pass immediately the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Bill. Once the bill is pass into a law, the industry is hoping for a reduction of up to 30% in the prices of these e-vehicles and it is  projected to spur more growth in the county's green and clean technology.

Charge Point, anyone?

In Singapore, the government has adapted the Carbon Emission-Based Vehicle Scheme (CEVS), which takes into consideration a vehicle's carbon emissions and fuel efficiency. A carbon emission of 0-100 CO₂ g/km, can qualify a vehicle owner up to S$20,000 rebate. This encourages consumers to shift to e-cars or hybrid cars that has low emission models.

So many prospects for this green technology and industry. We can start reducing our reliance on petroleum products that is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions. On a personal note, I still haven’t met anyone in the Philippines who has an e-car or a hybrid car. Anyone?

Electric Vehicles (EVs) available in the country:

1. E-motorcycle

2. E-tricycle

    -Amphibian E-tricycle (Salamander)

3. E-jeepney

4. E-cars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFjwAnBxCqs

http://www.manilalivewire.com/2015/01/first-filipino-made-amphibious-tricycle-the-salamander/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLiBgL2tmBg