LTO chief says E-jeepneys not that environment-friendly

08/06/2008

After issuing color orange plates on the so-called E-Jeepneys (electric jeepneys) of Makati City, the Land Transportation Offfice (LTO) has expressed doubt that the recently introduced electric-powered jeepneys are really environment-friendly vehicles.

According to LTO Chief Alberto Suansing, the E-Jeepneys passed the roadworthiness test administered by the agency and have been issued orange license plates classified as “low speed vehicles”, but the manufacturer must inform the public on how they will dispose off the batteries.

“May lifespan ang mga baterya just like yung battery ng cellphones. So, saan sila ilalagay kung tapos na yung lifespan nila,” Suansing said.

The battery that makes an E-jeepney run has a two-year warranty. The E-jeepney can run 120 km on a single charge of eight hours.

But what is not clear is what would the owner do with the battery if it reaches its lifespan?

Batteries contain harmful chemicals that could contaminate the source of potable water if not disposed properly.

The E-jeepneys are a venture of Green Renewable Independent Power Producer Inc. (GRIPP).

Athena Ballesteros, GRIPP chairwoman, assured the public they will work with legitimate and responsible battery suppliers, especially those with “balik baterya” programs to ensure proper disposal and management of old batteries.

“Our objective is to utilize state-of-the-art, highly efficient long-lasting batteries that meet global and local environment standards,” Ballesteros said.

She added: “On the other hand, the registration of the E-jeepneys is much-awaited and smoothes the way for the full implementation of the Climate Friendly Cities Project, particularly when we start scaling up E-jeepney fleets around the country.”

She said once E-jeepneys are already classified as PUVs, it will provide an alternative transportation which is cheaper and environment-sensitive, especially with the present global crisis on fuel products.

“The full implementation of the project will hopefully steer the Philippines — starting with pioneering cities — away from harmful fossil fuels and toward climate-friendly, sustainable, renewable energy-based transport,” Ballesteros added.

Following the orange plates, yellow plates and orange stickers will then be issued to “for hire” E-jeepneys once the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issues the vehicle’s fare matrix.

Officially launched on July 1, the experimental run of the E-jeepneys was supposed to be only for two weeks to give the LTO and the LTFRB time to complete the necessary papers.

“The E-jeepneys are part of a larger initiative that demonstrates how cities can help mitigate the problem of climate change through implementing measures that would avoid the use of climate change-inducing fossil fuels,” Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said.

Driven by uniformed traffic enforcers of the Makati Public Safety, four E-jeepneys — two of which are locally made — have been operating in the Legaspi-Salcedo village route, servicing mostly office workers.

Department of Public Safety (DPS) director Herminigildo San Miguel said the E-jeepney proved to be a big attraction among the office employees and even those who own cars.

He pointed out that commuters, especially employees, now find it easy to go around the CBD because of the E-jeepneys, the only available public utility vehicles in the commercial and business district, except for taxicabs.

San Miguel said the city government plans to add six more E-jeepney units in the Legaspi-Village route, plus a few more in the Greenbelt area and Ayala Center to make the commuting public less dependent on more expensive taxis.

At present, San Miguel said many local jeepney operators have expressed interest in acquiring electric jeepneys.

“There have been many inquiries. E-jeepneys are much cheaper and easier to maintain compared to diesel jeepneys. For a full charge, an E-jeepney can run up to three days at only less than P200,” the DPS director said. PNA

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