Mitsubishi Philippines: No Alternative Fuel-Fed Vehicles for RP

January 4, 2010 by Tsikot

The lack or real demand and necessary infrastructure in the country made Mitsubishi Motors Corp. hold back on bringing its alternative fuel-fired vehicles to the local market.

MMC president Osamu Masuko said the company was already selling its biofuel-fed models in Europe, as well as compressed natural gas-fired vehicles in Thailand.

“If the Philippine market needs CNG and biofuel vehicles, we can supply such cars anytime,” he said.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. president and chief executive Masahiko Ueki said, however, that this decision was hinged on whether the was big enough market here such vehicles.

Another point that would have to be considered, he said, was infrastructure.

“We have CNG buses, but there is no CNG infrastructure here to supply the CNG. We also have E85, but the cost is more expensive,” he related. “We need more time to make a market survey of which (of our alternative fuel vehicles) is suitable to the Philippine market.”

RA 9367 or the Biofuels Act of 2006 requires all diesel-fed vehicles to use a minimum 1-percent biodiesel blend within three months of the effectivity of the law, or in May 2007.

The mandated blend rose to 2 percent on Feb. 6, 2009, or after two years. Also, gasoline was required to have at least a 5-percent ethanol blend. The mandated blend would rise to at least 10 percent after four years or by 2011.

As for CNG, Shell Companies in the Philippines is the only one offering the fuel to the CNG-fed buses now serving commuters, through its daughter station in Biñan, Laguna along the South Luzon Expressway.

The CNG mother station is located near the Shell refinery in Tabangao, Batangas.

Shell sells its CNG for only P14.52 a liter, well below the cost of diesel, as provided under the seven-year Natural Gas Vehicle Program for Public Transport.

Inquirer.net

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