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By Remedios Lucio, Special to the Manila
Times
The Electronic Jeepneys (E-Jeepneys) still
can’t roam the streets of Metro Manila, apparently because
government rules define it as a “golf cart”.
“There’s no category for the E-Jeepney in
the LTO [Land Transportation Office] . . . They consider it a golf
cart, which is not allowed in the public streets,” said Roberto
Lopez Puckett, President of the Solar Electric Co. Inc. (Solarco),
the builder of the electric jeepneys.
Apparently, electric motorcycles were already
given the permit to operate in San Juan by the Department of
Transportation and Communications (DOTC). The same goes for the
electric motorcycles.
In coming out with the E-Jeepneys, Solarco also
sought to lessen air pollution in Metro Manila. Likewise,
drivers who will use the E-Jeepneys can earn better incomes.
“This is actually a much safer vehicle on the
road right now [at a time] our country is alarmed by global
warming,” Puckett said.
He said Solarco has been waiting for six months
for the DOTC to issue the necessary permits for the E-Jeepneys to
operate. Greenpeace and the Green Renewable Independent Power
Producer are also pushing the E-Jeepneys, and even sought the
support of President Gloria Arroyo and lawmakers.
First appearing in Makati, UST
The E-Jeepneys first graced the streets of
Makati last year, when Mayor Jejomar Binay made known his advocacy
to promote clean, renewable and cheap energy alternatives for public
transportation in his locality.
“Mayor Binay wants to use the Electric jeepney
and [other] environmental-friendly vehicles in Makati,” Puckett
said.
On February 16, the E-Jeepneys graced the
grounds of the University of Sto.Tomas (UST) for a demonstration
during the Grand Alumni Homecoming of the university’s
Engineering Department.
It was the UST Engineering Alumni Association
Inc. that invited Solarco to show off its E-Jeepney.
The Discovery Channel even featured the E-jeepneys,
and even showed its advantage over the diesel-powered jeepneys
plying the streets of Metro Manila.
The E-Jeepney is powered by rechargeable
batteries and could travel for 120 kilometers at a maximum speed of
40 kms per hour from an eight-hour charge. It costs P550,000,
has a five-horsepower engine and is capable of carrying up to 17
passengers.
Puckett said the daily electric charge for the
E-Jeepney’s battery would cost around P150, which is cheaper
compared to the P800 to P1,000 spent for a jeepney powered by a
diesel engine.
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