The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines pushed for the reorganization of electric tricycles in Manila to address the concerns of Mayor Francisco Moreno.
EVAP said in a statement over the weekend while it was supporting Moreno’s drive to clean up and put order to Manila streets, he should consider energy efficiency in transportation in support of the policies of the Transportation Department and Interior and Local Government Department.
“EVAP, aligned with the policy of DOTr and DILG, also agrees that all tricycles, i.e. electric-driven or not, should not be plying national roads, except in the absence of alternative public transport and minor roads and in cases that support national and local strategic agenda, e.g. tourism, logistics,” the group said.
EVAP confirmed that several e-trikes were rolled out in some areas in the city of Manila with minimal consideration on its proper operation that eventually created disorder.
“However, a number of initiatives were properly planned out, functioning well and are serving their purpose. This is particularly true in the case of the tourist e-trike services in Intramuros,” it said.
The initiative is in line with the direction of the DOTr in including e-trikes in the coverage of tourist transport services to “promote new and more sustainable public transport solutions and to support the country’s flourishing tourism industry”, the group said.
EVAP said the Energy Department donated 3,000 e-trikes to various LGUs all over the country, including 100 to the city of Manila, to promote energy efficiency and security.
“E-trikes produce less than half of the greenhouse gases and have negligible health effects compared to those churned-out by conventional tricycles. E-trikes, moreover, reduce the dependence on imported petroleum fuel, which reduces the energy security risk of the country,” the group said.
They said the simplicity of the electric vehicle technology also provided the local economy an opportunity to finally produce its own vehicles and possibly become a manufacturing hub of the technology in Southeast Asia.
“In consideration of its economic, environmental and social benefits, we, therefore, in EVAP instead recommend the reorganization of e-trikes in the city of Manila and are looking forward to working with the city government on how to maximize the proper and optimal use of e-trikes in the city,” it said.
“We shall also be working with LTO and DOTr in the preparation of appropriate guidelines on the classification, registration and usage of electric vehicles in the country,” EVAP said.