E-vehicles to be built in Subic next year

MANILA, Philippines - A joint venture between Filipino and Taiwanese firms will start producing electric vehicles at the Subic Bay Freeport early next year, the Subic Bay Metroplitan Authority (SBMA) said.

The SBMA said Roteco, a joint venture between Filipino motorcycle dealer Ropali Corp. and Taiwan-based electric motor manufacturer TECO Electric and Machinery Co. Ltd. unveiled on Monday environment-friendly vehicles at its plant site in the Freeport.

TECO chairman Chao Kai Liu said the electric vehicles will provide the public with opportunities to replace diesel jeepneys that consume fuel and emit pollutants.

“By bringing out green and smart mobility, we can raise the quality of public transport in the Philippines and at the same time, help reduce carbon emission and dumping of used oil in our environment, which cause climate change,” Liu said.

Ropali president Roberto Alingog, on his part, said Roteco’s main objective is to introduce innovation in the local transport sector by creating e-vehicles.

“It is our advocacy to drive social entrepreneurship by giving back to the people clean air and a clean living environment,” Alingog said.

Alingog said the production of electric vehicles is expected to commence on January next year.