No plans yet for e-jeepneys in the Visayas

Despite its reported benefits, the Department of Science and Technology-7 said there are no plans yet to bring the electric jeepneys or “e-jeepneys” here in Visayas.

DOST-7 director Rene Burt Llanto said adopting the technology in the Visayas may still be a remote possibility because of the lack of proposal.

So far, Llanto said the e-jeepneys are operating only in Manila, particularly in Makati and UP Diliman. There are no proposals submitted yet for the production of the said jeepneys here, he added.

According to the Greenpeace website, an electric jeepney is the first public transport system of its kind in Southeast Asia. These e-jeepneys, which are part of the innovative project of Green Renewable Independent Power Producer, are meant to steer clear of the use of fossil fuels to help mitigate climate change, even as they address urban problems such as air pollution and solid waste.

The e-jeepneys, the electric-powered version of the Philippine icon which traces its roots to the US Willy’s jeep, were launched by GRIPP, Greenpeace, and the Makati City Government last year.

There are reports that these locally-assembled jeepneys will likely be exported to neighboring Asian countries after local auto parts makers said they will help make the project commercially viable.

The Philippine Star earlier reported that the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP) said they will support GRIPP in localizing the assembly of the pollution-free public transport vehicle.

Llanto said that while their office very much welcomes the innovation, the DOST 7 has not arranged to adopt the same technology.

DOST 7 has been implementing structures that promote cleaner and greener Philippine transportation through conversion of traditional leaded gasoline to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that are now being widely used by the taxis in Metro Cebu, Llanto said.

He said they have been encouraging taxi cabs and other vehicles to use the LPG since it is more environment-friendly. The agency also convinces the people to use biofuel gas and the coco-methyl ester to mitigate the impact of high prices of oil.

Llanto said they are also promoting the use of “hybrids” which include the gas, batteries and hydrogen for a cleaner environment.

Aside from attaining clean air and efficient transport system, these alternatives are also energy-efficient and at the same time, economical, Llanto said. — Cressida Paula G. Delmo/WAB