Local firm to provide e-trikes for Apec

MANILA, Philippines - Local electric vehicle (EV) maker Emotors Inc. will serve as the green mobility partner of this year’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings.

In a statement yesterday, the firm said a memorandum of agreement was recently signed by EMotors founding director Helen Lee with Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo and APEC 2015 CEO Summit COO Guillermo Luz, who also serves as private sector co-chair of the National Competitiveness Council, to provide ZuM e-trikes for the APEC meetings.

 “The number of e-trikes to be used depends on the need per venue,” EMotors president Elizabeth Lee said in a text message.

As the green electric mobility partner of APEC 2015,  she said EMotors’ e-trikes will be used starting with the trade ministerial meeting in Boracay, where 10 units of the EVs will be deployed.

“Apart from mobility needs, part of the objective is to showcase the country’s effort in tackling two global issues of climate change mitigation and inclusive growth or poverty alleviation by supporting the local EV manufacturing industry and promoting the use of clean, green EVs,” she added.

The use of e-trikes is seen to help address the issue of inclusive growth as it becomes a means of livelihood and mode of transport in the provinces.

In terms of addressing climate change, the use of e-trikes helps reduce the carbon footprint.

The Philippine government is promoting the use of clean, zero-emission vehicles as it recognizes the costly effects of pollution.

The Philippines is looking to attract more foreign investments to the country and provide a venue to promote the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through its hosting of the APEC meetings this year.

The hosting of the meetings is seen as an opportunity to showcase what the country can offer.

The SME agenda will also be pushed as the sector accounts for 99 percent of the country’s total businesses and 65 percent of jobs generated.

APEC, which groups 21 members, seeks to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

The last time the Philippines served as host for the APEC meetings was in 1996.

EMotors is the country’s first manufacturer and assembler of electric tricycles  to be registered with the Board of Investments’ Motor Vehicle Development Program under Executive Order (EO) 156. It is also the first to be registered in the agency under EO 226 or the Investment Priorities Plan.