The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday launched a new project offering charging of batteries for electronic bikes and scooters using solar energy.
MMDA chair Romando Artes said the project aims to encourage the public to use alternative modes of transportation and promote green and renewable energy.
The solar charging station, located at the new MMDA head office building in Barangay Ugong, Pasig City, offers services free of charge, and will be open to the public on Monday, June 27, from 6am to 7pm.
Artes said the project would help ease the burden of the people amid high cost of petroleum products by providing them free service that they can avail of whenever they need to charge their e-vehicles.
“Putting up free charging stations for electronic vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters would encourage the public to use alternative mode of transportation and at the same time help them save expenses from high fuel cost,” he said. Joel E. Zurbano
Three solar panels with built-in inverter will be the main power source of the station with a total of six 220V charging outlets.
Those who wish to charge their e-bikes and e-scooters must bring their own charging cords and cables.
The charging station uses high technology, where in case solar power harvested will be insufficient to power the e-bikes being charged, the station will tap in to the main power grid of the building to compensate for the shortage in power. Likewise, all excess electricity being harnessed by the solar panels will be distributed back to the building.
Artes also said that he is planning to build similar charging station at the MMDA headquarters in Orense, Makati to accommodate those who are traversing Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.
Meanwhile, Artes appealed to e-bikers and e-scooter drivers to adhere to the Land Transportation Office’s Administrative Order No. 2021-039 or the Consolidated Guidelines in the Classification, Registration, and Operation of All Types of Electric Motor Vehicles for their own safety.