Electric vehicle goes on trial run in Cavite ecozone

**architect** · March 9th, 2007 09:44 AM

From the Philippine Star 3/9/07

Electric vehicle goes on trial run in Cavite ecozone
By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio
The Philippine Star 03/09/2007

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is hosting the trial run of the first locally produced vehicle that runs on batteries and electric power.

PEZA Director General Lilia B. de Lima said the Philippine Electric Vehicle (PEV) will be used first within the government-run Cavite export processing zone. The PEV will transport the 90,000 workers within the zone during the trial run set to begin next month.

The vehicle's inventor Roel Judilla said each unit will cost P600,000 to make. However, he said they are still ironing out kinks in order to bring down costs to between P300,000 to P400,000.

According to Judilla, the PEV is not yet optimized because it runs only 80 kilometers every four-hour charging session, costing P1,500 per full charge.

In addition, he said the PEV cannot be used commercially or in far places. He said the car may only be used for specific short distances like inside the ecozone, military camps, subdivisions or theme parks. "The use of the PEV must be confined in fixed distances and small places."

But Judilla said he is confident he can come out with a more efficient version in two months' time. For instance, he said he is developing a model that would run using solar energy to avoid the exorbitant electricity costs.

Initially, he said 50 units will be produced. He said they will market the vehicle to high-end subdivisions, leisure parks and resorts.

The objective of the PEV is to introduce a clean and sustainable urban mass transport service on a limited travel distance. He said the PEV is a cheaper transport service when compared to the jeepney.

The PEV sits 10 passengers. Majority of the parts, or 70 percent, will be sourced in the country. Francisco Motors Phils. designed the body and chassis while the safety glass came from Asahi Glass Philippines.

**jamesvhong** · March 9th, 2007 10:20 AM

Kababasa ko lang nito sa Philstar. Ok na sana kaso big issue 80Km lang and 1500Php ang isang full charge.. ngek! Pero if they improve the battery and how to utilize yung power na mukukuha sa car at mailalabas ng car ma giging hit to. Yung Prius ata yun pang nag break ang car yung breaking na co-convert nila into a energy na mag c-charge ng battery means walang waste kaya utilized ng maigi ang energy at mas malayo maitatakbo ng car.

What's good is our country men are trying to do something.

**ghosthunter** · March 9th, 2007 10:25 AM

P1500 to travel 80 kilometers. I don't think that can be considered good mileage. A minibus with a modern diesel engine and modern emissions controls would probably have less environment impact and less cost per kilometer too.

**userfriendly** · March 9th, 2007 10:44 AM

Hopefully they can improve the mileage to a decent number. Might take a few years but if it works then its good for the country.

Wonder what kind of battery they are using? If they are targeting 300,000 to 400,000 production cost then I think its a safe bet they won't use lithium-ion batteries. Pls don't use lead acid battery.

Cause if you do, then you will have a very heavy vehicle and you'll need to replace your batteries every 1-2 years.

Imagine you have 8 to 12 lead acid batteries that you need to change every 1 to 2 years. Magkano kaya ito?

**Galactus** · March 9th, 2007 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by jamesvhong

Kababasa ko lang nito sa Philstar. Ok na sana kaso big issue 80Km lang and 1500Php ang isang full charge.. ngek! Pero if they improve the battery and how to utilize yung power na mukukuha sa car at mailalabas ng car ma giging hit to. Yung Prius ata yun pang nag break ang car yung breaking na co-convert nila into a energy na mag c-charge ng battery means walang waste kaya utilized ng maigi ang energy at mas malayo maitatakbo ng car.

What's good is our country men are trying to do something.

AFAIK, Hybrid ang Prius. During low speeds, electric motor yung gumagana and pag high speeds, switch over sya to gasoline.

The first car to employ regenerative braking was GM's Impact. Don't know what happened to it na, pero I read about it when it was first featured sa Discover magazine.

**userfriendly** · March 9th, 2007 10:52 AM

I think it was recalled by GM and put in storage. GM did not sell the cars, they only leased them and recalled all units after the lease was up. AFAIK, some owners wanted to buy the car but GM won't let them.

Watched the above on a tv show a few yers ago.

**ghosthunter** · March 9th, 2007 12:13 PM

GM didn't put the cars into storage, GM had the cars destroyed.

**ghosthunter** · March 9th, 2007 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Galactus

AFAIK, Hybrid ang Prius. During low speeds, electric motor yung gumagana and pag high speeds, switch over sya to gasoline.

The first car to employ regenerative braking was GM's Impact. Don't know what happened to it na, pero I read about it when it was first featured sa Discover magazine.

Currently there is a six wheeler truck cab & chassis being sold in the local market that uses a hybrid assist system. The hybrid assist system helps the truck to accelerate from a stop or slower speeds via its electric motor powered by a small battery. Its recharged via regenerative braking and from the diesel engine.

Adapting that technology would probably have been more effective with a typical bus' stop & go route.