More electric vehicles seen at Tokyo Motor Show for PUV modernization

At the recent Tokyo Motor Show 2017, more and more electric vehicles were on display by almost all of the Japanese major car and truck manufacturers. Of course, there were the old reliables such as the Toyota Prius, the Nissan Leaf and Note and Mitsubishi Outlander Phev. But the most noteworthy and totally unexpected EV displays were those of the electric commercial light trucks that were prominently on exhibit.

There were the electric Isuzu N-Series, the EFuso and ECanter light trucks. Also on display were the battery systems, the modern interiors and even the charging stations that will support these vehicles.

These developments could not have come in a more appropriate time, now that the PUV Modernization Program is in full swing. Under the PUVMP, the powertrain of the modern PUV must either be Euro 4 complaint diesel engine or electric or hybrid.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Parts Makers Association recently concluded the Eco PUV Showcase of the various prototypes of the locally-made Eco PUVs that the industry will supply to the PUVMP. The next step would be the pilot testing of these vehicles in actual jeepney routes to find out what adjustments need to be made before mass production.

The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines member companies are targeting to cover only about 10% of the total 200,000 new Eco PUVs to be upgraded and modernized over the next five to six years.

EVAP president Rommel Juan said that EVAP is happy to see that Isuzu and Fuso are now venturing into electric light trucks. “We will be working closely with the two brands to explore if the EV chassis will be available in the Philippine market as a platform in time for the PUV Modernization Program. We are very optimistic about this as no less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself has expressed his 100% support to the PUVMP. It is expected that the modern Eco PUVs that will include the modern electric PUV jeepneys will be fielded by early next year”.