Zum electric tricycle manufactured by EMotors
The Philippine government aims to jump-start the use of electric vehicles by funding a program that will replace regular tricycles with electric tricycles or “e-trikes.” The e-trikes are seen as a measure that can help reduce pollution. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will release a total of P4.27 billion for the e-trike project as counterpart funding. The Asian Development Bank will spend for the bulk o fthe project, which totals P21.67 billion. The DMB has already released P506 million for the project.
The project aims to put 200,000 units of e-trikes on Metro Manila roads, and 3.5 million across the country by 2017. These should replace tricycles that run on gasoline. The e-trikes will be offered to tricycle drivers on a lease or lease-to-own basis. The amount saved on fuel will theoretically be used by the drivers to pay for the e-trikes.
The project also covers the cost of hiring project consultants and conduct of surveys of local government units that will participate in the e-trike project
“Now that the Aquino administration has released the government’s fund counterpart for the e-Trike project, we can expect to see more of these e-Trikes plying the routes taken by traditional tricycles, so that the electronic vehicles can take commuters to various drop-off points within their communities,” DBM Secretary Florencio Abad said in a statement.
“Using innovative technology and competitive financing, this project will achieve widespread adoption of electric tricycles and the development of a sustainable local e-trike manufacturing industry,” the ADB said in the project report.
With report by Michelle V. Remo
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
