Exemption of electric buses from coding scheme pushed

MANILA, Philippines - The major players in the electric vehicle industry has expressed their full support for the initiative of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to exempt electric buses from the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number coding scheme.

Rommel Juan, president of the newly-organized Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (eVAP) said that the MMDA policy being drafted would go a long way towards helping the growth of the electric vehicle industry in the country.

 “The EV industry is still in its infancy stage and this MMDA initiative is a major first step that could result in a giant leap. It is an incentive that we hope will cover not only eBuses but all electric vehicles as well, from eBikes to eScooters to eTrikes to eQuads to the now-popular and tested eJeepneys. Electric buses on the other hand are now widely used in China and England. Chairman (Francis) Tolentino is therefore on the right track and we commend him for it,” he said.

For his part, Ferdi Raquelsantos, president of electric jeepney maker PhUV Inc. said that this MMDA initiative is welcome news.

 “The eJeepney blazed the trail for EVs in the Philippines. Its use has grown since we introduced it two years ago. It has proven to be more economical to run and less expensive to maintain. There is no cooling system, no exhaust system, no fuel system, no engine, thus there is no harmful exhaust fumes to contend with. This will surely help improve air quality not only in Metro Manila but in any locality where it operates. We are hopeful Chairman Tolentino will extend to the eJeepneys and all EVs the proposed exemption from number coding,” he said.

On the economic side, the group said that since they run on pure battery power, the use of electric vehicles will lessen our country’s dependence on fossil fuel and help reduce our importation of petroleum products.