11 things you may not

know about electric

vehicles
The Philippines is Asia's 'next best thing' in the electric vehicle industry. Here's a
list of little-known facts about EVs.
Rappler.com
Published 7:27 PM, Oct 06, 2014
Updated 7:27 PM, Oct 06, 2014

MAKATI GREEN ROUTES. These eJeepneys ply around Legaspi and Salcedo villages in Makati.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES The electric vehicle (EV) is steadily gaining attention

here and abroad.
To unite innovators efforts, the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines
(EVAP) was organized in 2009 by a group of major EV industry players who saw
the need to coordinate all the plans of the players, push their advocacies as a
group, and secure trade incentives and government support.

Also, most of the business alliances between local EV players and their foreign
partners were the result of the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit organized by
EVAP. Local EV players hope to learn from their foreign counterparts best
practices, forge business alliances, and benefit from technology transfer.
To further boost its momentum, Rommel Juan, EVAP president and Binalot
founder has compiled 11 things you should know about the Philippine EV
industry and why riding or owning an electric vehicle is worth it:
1. The Philippines eJeepney is the first in Asia
The non-governmental organization Institute of Climate and Sustainable Cities
(ICSC) introduced eJeepney in the Philippines in 2007, making us one of the
pioneers in EV transport system in Asia.
ICSC first acquired 20 locally-assembled units of eJeepney to ply the Makati
green routes (MGR) in Salcedo and Legaspi villages. MGR also achieved two
other firsts: the first eJeepneys to have the special orange electric vehicle license
plates from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the first 4-wheeled EV
project to get a public transport franchise from the Land Transportation and
Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Still plying MGR, eJeepney is regarded as the most successful and sustainable
public transport EV program in the country.
2. Pioneer EV assemblers

CARE FOR A RIDE? The eJeepney manaufactured by the Philippine Utility Vehicle (PhUV) Inc.

The Philippine Utility Vehicle (PhUV) Inc. is the pioneer in mass assembly of EV
in the Philippines. Originally set up by a group of local auto parts manufacturers
to create a utility vehicle and manufacture a Pinoy Utility Vehicle, they evolved
into an EV manufacturer to address the countrys needs for more eco-friendly
vehicles for mass public transport.
PhUV received from the Board of Investments (BOI) the pioneer EV
manufacturer in the Philippines status in the production of 4-wheel, 3-wheel, and
2-wheel EVs. It also holds the rights to 3 EV products from the Intellectual
Property Office (IPO).
PhUV has supplied the eJeepneys to MGR and to Meralco, Ateneo, De La Salle,
and soon, Filinvest City in Alabang, plus various government agencies; private
institutions; resorts; industrial zones; residential subdivisions; malls; and other
universities with large campuses. PhUV also provides spare parts support and a
reliable after-sales service.
3. The Philippines is Asias next best thing in EV

JAPANESE ETRIKES. BEET Philippines with a factory in Calamba (top, left); Cebu-based Prozza
Hirose (right); and Terra Motors in Cebu (top, bottom), are Japanese eTrike companies that set up
shop in the country.

Apart from eJeepneys, there are now 3 Japanese Electric Tricycle (ETrike)
companies in the country: BEET Philippines with a factory in Calamba; Cebubased Prozza Hirose; and Terra Motors in Cebu.
The interest of these Japanese manufacturers only shows that the Philippines is
primed to be the EV hub in the region, Juan said as EVs are a viable alternative
to the old, polluting gas-guzzling jeepneys and tricycles.
4. Locally-designed and developed electric motorcycle
Etro EV, Inc. received its BOI status as a pioneer in electric motorcycle
manufacturing in the country. It also designs and produces its own electric
motorcycle named Agila. Etro also uses lithium ion batteries for longer use.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF EAGLE. Etro offers its Agila electric motorcycle to replace the smokebelching, 2-stroke gas-powered motorcycle.

Etro offers its Agila electric motorcycle to replace the smoke-belching, 2-stroke
gas-powered motorcycle but retaining and using the old passenger car to lessen
expense.
5. Charging stations in commercial operation
Kea Motors, a local Cavite-based ETrike manufacturer, recently launched its lowcost charging stations in Bacoor, Cavite, where a tricycle cooperative purchased
from them 10 ETrikes as part of the citys effort to green its transport system.

Kea also received its BOI certification as a pioneer in ETrike and charging station
manufacturing.
6. Local EV tech systems
TALINO EV Management Systems, Inc. (TALINOev) is an electric vehicle
business platform company. It developed a technology that, when embedded in
electric motorcycles, will enable manufacturers like ETRO to offer its Agila electric
motorcycle at half the price of their gasoline-powered competitors.
7. Electric motorbikes are here, too
Alternative Energy Trailblazers is one of the longest-running electric bike/ electric
motorbike company in the country. It is now steadily penetrating the local market
by offering their electric-powered alternatives. The company is also the local
distributor of the largest manufacturer of electric bikes and motorbikes in the
world that carries European Union quality product ratings such as CE (European
Conformity) and EN15194, and EEC (European Economic Community).
8. Dedicated local EV manufacturer
Tojo Motors is another domestic EV player that manufactures 3-wheel and 4wheel EVs. It has its own facilities to develop affordable, reliable, safe, and
quality line of EVs.
9. EV public transport operator

FLEET OPERATOR. The Electric Vehicle Expansion Enterprises Inc. (EVEEI) recently bagged the
deal to operate 20 eJeepney units at Filinvest City in Alabang.

The Electric Vehicle Expansion Enterprises Inc. (EVEEI) was organized to

manage and operate EV transport fleets using an operations template developed
through years of fleet management experience. Recently, it bagged the deal to
operate 20 eJeepney units at Filinvest City in Alabang.
10. Dependable local battery solution
Motolite, the Philippines largest automotive battery manufacturer produces
rechargeable, deep cycle lead acid batteries used by almost all EV
manufacturers and assemblers. The company has been with the Philippine EV
industry from the start, providing various battery solutions, including technical
information on battery and charging technology.
11. An ETricycle lease-to-own scheme

OWN AN ETRIKEBAYAN. the E-Trikebayan introduced the lease-to-own scheme for tricycle drivers,
with an amortization of P275 ($6.14*) per day and payable for 3.5 years.

E-Trikebayan is a new battery-powered ETrike plying now in Mandaluyong.

Developed and assembled by EVWealth, the E-Trikebayan introduced the leaseto-own scheme, with an amortization of P275 ($6.14*) per day and payable for
3.5 years, thus E-Trikebayan drivers will be able to own the ETrike unit and
become operators themselves. - Rappler.com

Photos from Rommel Juan / EVAP

Those interested to join EVAP and help push the use of electric vehicles in the
country may contact Lani Labrador at +632 930 7003 or +63 923 943 2073.
($1 = P44.79)

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