Dutch firm ties up with auto parts maker for electric jeepney

Netherlands-based DOEN Foundation has partnered with local auto parts makers Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Phils. Inc. (MVPMAP) in making low cost and environment friendly electric jeepneys.

In a statement, MVPMAP said they will be locally designing, developing and manufacturing 44 units of the electric jeepney in coordination with the Green Renewable Independent Power Producer Inc. (GRIPP).

GRIPP is a partnership spearheaded by Greenpeace International organized in pursuit of its Climate Friendly Cities Program.

DOEN will fund 50 e-jeepneys. The initial four vehicles were made in China.

However, unlike the initial six China versions which were just bigger and modified versions of a golf cart, the local e-PhUV will be a replica of a real Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ).

Among the key features of the vehicle is the relatively low operating cost of an e-PhUV compared to a conventional diesel or gasoline powered jeepney because it can be charged overnight for eight to 10 hours at a cost of approximately P200 using an ordinary wall outlet.

It can then be operated for as much as 100 kms thereafter, thus costing only about P2 per km to operate. This is about half the operating cost of a diesel or gasoline powered jeepney.

MVPMAP said the electric jeepneys will be distributed to select cities identified by GRIPP. Pilot areas are Bacolod City, which has received four units of the electric jeepney for pilot testing and Makati City with two electric jeepneys.

As part of the existing PhUV Program, the makers electric jeepney will enjoy tax perks as the PhUV is part of the 2007 Investments Priority Program (IPP) of the government.

This means that all assemblers and local parts suppliers participating in the PhUV program may avail of the various incentives such as income tax holiday and duty free importations of raw materials and capital equipment.

MVPMAP members will supply the local parts to complete the e-PhUV. The group expects to present the prototype to GRIPP by the end of February 2008.

Outside of the initial 44 units ordered by GRIPP, MVPMAP is also targeting sales of the e-PhUV to entities which have shown early interest in the vehicle. Among these are LGUs, homeowners’ associations of exclusive villages, resorts, schools, industrial zones, theme parks, golf courses, malls and even federations of jeepney operators and drivers.