RP-made electric jeepneys eyed for export to Asian neighbors

The locally-assembled electric jeepney (E-jeepney) will likely be exported to neighboring Asian countries after local auto parts makers said they will help make the project commercially viable.

The Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP) said they will support the project proponent, Green Renewable Independent Power Producer (GRIPP), in localizing the assembly of the pollution-free public transport vehicle.

“We will call it the E-PhUV and this will complement our other projects such as the PhUV (Philippine utility vehicle) itself, PUJ (public utility jeep) refleeting program and our One-Brand Project,” MVPMAP vice president Pia Mirasol said.

Currently, two units of the E-Jeepney are being pilot tested in Makati City while four others are being tested in Bacolod.

The engine of the 12-seater E-Jeepneys are imported from Guangzhou, China. When charged in an ordinary wall outlet for eight to 10 hours, the E-Jeepney could run for 100 kilometers at a maximum speed of 40 kph.

Mirasol said the MVPMAP agreed to support GRIPP in localizing the assembly of the E-Jeepney and in making the project viable and replicable, not only domestically but also internationally.

She said the association will provide technical assistance such as product design, improvement and provide development and provide the parts needed to come up with a locally-assembled version of the E-Jeepney that would help make the project commercially viable and acceptable to the export market.

Mirasol explained that MVPMAP will fold in the E-Jeepney into its own PhUV program so that its assembler, local parts suppliers and buyers will also receive the same benefits given to the local program.

GRIPP’s E-Jeepney is one of three components of Greenpeace’s Climate Friendly Cities Program, an integrated strategy for promoting sustainable transport and waste management through the use of renewable energy-based technologies. The two other components are a depot that will serve as a charging station and maintenance center for the fleet and a power plant consisting of a generator, a solid anaerobic biodigester and a gas engine  from which electricity will be generated from organic wastes

”We not only reduce pollution but also minimize organic wastes by putting them into good use. Furthermore, this E-PhUV project will provide additional livelihood to over 50,000 direct workers dependent on the local parts making industry for survival”, Mirasol said.