By Marjorie Gorospe
INQUIRER.net
THE Philippine Utility Vehicle Inc. (PhUV) and Green Renewable Independent Power Producer, Inc launched an electric powered utility vehicle, dubbed E-jeepney, which can carry up to 14 passengers .
This electric-powered vehicle comes with a battery that needs to be charged six to eight hours before use. The vehicle can travel up to 90 kilometers when fully charged.
The vehicle can reach up to 60 kilometers per hour but proponents said it would be more efficient to travel at 45 KM per hour. It also uses manual stick shift.
PhUV president Ferdinand Raquelsantos said that the e-jeepney has the same component parts of an ordinary vehicle but without because a combustion engine.
Land and Transportation Office currently recognizes the e-jeepney as a regular vehicle requiring normal registration.
“This jeepney will not cause any pollution such as carbon emission and noise. It’s also provides a comfortable ride because it doesn’t have the vibration you get from a normal vehicle,” said Raquelsantos.
He added said that the e-jeepney is ideal for urban areas and villages that want to promote an environmentally friendly vehicle.
Compared to a regular vehicle, the e-jeepney is cheaper since one will only need to spend P2.50 per kilometer. Using a diesel engine, one spends P15 per kilometer.
He said that they have already talked to transport groups about the e-jeepney.
“Once we complete this project, we can convert their existing engines to a total electric-powered one,” said Raquelsantos. The conversion would cost P300,000.
Raquelsantos expects a good growth of e-jeepney years from now especially if more urban areas will embrace the green movement.
March 9th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
e-jeepney is such a novel idea to solve the transport crisis and contribute to CC mitigation.
to be effective, the idea of conversion of existing fleet would entail much more carbon footprint and would probably cost more.
what needs to be done is to find ways to cheaply manufacture e-jeepney made of fiberglas and get rid of those very heavy-built jeepneys that need more power to run.
March 10th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
e-jeepney proliferation should be supported by government. In the middle east, the Arabs are saying “GO GREEN” when their main source of revenue is Petrol they resort to alternative fuels (such as LP) to reduce carbon emission and preserve the environment.
May 11th, 2009 at 12:56 am
sounds great….this should be done as soon as possible..the government and everybody should have a full support of this project to make it happen..imagine our street is pollution free and it help also boast our economy…if we done this asap we can be an ECEC(electric car exporting country)….lets do it..