WITH the skyrocketing prices of fuel products, residents and employees at the country’s financial and business capital will soon heave a sigh of relief with the launch of 10 electric jeepneys or E-jeep offering free rides from Monday to Friday every week.

Looking like ordinary jeepneys and also emblazoned with colorful murals, the 12-seater E-jeeps will soon ply the Salcedo and Legazpi Village routes from the Landmark Mall in Makati City from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., when thousands are expected to hit the streets after their work.

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Red Constantino, Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Cities (iCSC) director, said they would make the “revolutionary” vehicle free for commuters for as long as it takes, adding that they would derive the operating costs from income coming from their partner’s commercial advertisements.

At the same time, Constantino hopes to copy the program in other areas in Metro Manila and the provinces to enable the public to enjoy pollution-free mode of public transport just like their counterparts in other parts of the world.

“We hope that we will be able to bring this ground-breaking mode of green public transport system to more areas here in Metro Manila and the rest of the country,” the iCSC chief said during Tuesday’s launch of the program dubbed the e-Jeepney Makati Green Route.

The event also marked the unveiling of the first ever charging station and depot for electric vehicles in the country located in Makati.

The three-year-old project has garnered worldwide praise and recently bagged the top award in the Discovery Channel’s Ecopolis program where it was touted as a new technology that can transform modern cities and the public transport system.

It was also awarded a Fr. Satur Neri Award by the Presidential Adviser on Climate Change during this year’s Earth Day celebrations.

Through its major funder the Stichting Doen, a Dutch foundation, the iCSC put up the project to help reduce carbon dioxide emission of transport vehicles.

The project is expected to dramatically reduce noise and air pollution as the e-Jeepney does not emit noise or harmful exhaust emissions.

Studies have shown that every liter of diesel avoided results in a reduction of 3,140 grams of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) and 16 grams of NOx (Nitrous Oxide) released to the atmosphere.

At excessive levels, the emissions contribute to climate change, which has recently been blamed for the extreme typhoons and floods that have devastated the country.

Since it has a dwell time of only 10 seconds per stop, E-Jeepney-powered Makati Green Route will also reduce traffic jams.

The E-Jeepneys are manufactured by the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the National Center for Transportation Studies at the University of the Philippines, Philbio, the British Embassy, Oxfam Great Britain, Greenpeace Southeast Asia, and the Foundation of the Philippine Environment.

Aside from local officials of Makati, also present during Tuesday’s formal launch was beauty queen Miriam Quiambao who even drove one of the vehicles to the Landmark Mall to the cheers of the onlookers.

Makati was the first to roll-out the E-jeepneys in 2007 with two vehicles offering free rides on two routes-the Salcedo and loop.

Operated by 12 batteries, the E-jeepney carry 12 passengers including the driver and a passenger beside his seat. Following an eight-hour charge, the vehicle can run for at least 100 kilometers daily at 40 kilometers per hour.

The city is also eyeing the use of electric powered tricycles for security patrol and traffic enforcement duties.

Ernesto Camarillo, city transport consultant said the E-trikes, which he dubbed the “aero-cabs,” can reach a top speed of 85 kilometers per hour and carry a maximum of eight passengers inside the egg-shaped cabin.

The trike is designed and locally manufactured by the Aerocab Corporation.

“This is the first time we are having the “aAerocab.” We are actually looking at it as using it as a patrol motorcycle for our parking crew or traffic officers. This innovative technology is believed to be the future of tricycles and is cheaper than the usual,” added Camarillo.

The innovative trike costs about P150,000 each.

Electric tricycles have also been used in Taguig where the local government has purchased about 200 units and in Davao city. (AH/Sunnex)