"e-Jeepney" - The electric powered jeepney

[romski123]

Charge up and green your ride!
by Jan Croeni, CEO, Eonlux

It is heartwarming to see, that among all countries worldwide, the Philippines are one of the first which decided to walk the talk and fight global warming by introducing an entirely electric transportation system powered by clean energy. While other countries, especially the Western countries are still talking, Asia is developing to the new epi-centre of electric transportation.

Promoting electric mobility myself in Singapore, I followed with excitement the news about the approvals for the e-jeep-neys, the first electric vehicles made in Philippines ever granted a license plate by the Land Transportation Office, and I was curious about the further developments. This year in January in Hongkong, I had the great pleasure to meet the proponents of the ejeepney program at an electric vehicle conference and was like the others in the audience astonished about the fast pace of this zero emission transportation project. For sure, it is no easy feast to be a pioneer, introduce new technology and try to change the mindset of consumers to a better (ie. greener).

But it happened in Manila, and it can happen all over the Philippines. Zero emission transportation is no longer a mere wish but tangible and very colourful reality anybody can ride for free.

In 2009 in Singapore, we created a showcase for zero emission transportation and introduced the first electric scooters ever, the first dedicated charging points and the first solar powered charging stations. Our objective was to show the feasibility of the project, which was successful. Right now, the Singapore government is looking into setup of charging stations for electric vehicles during an electric mobility trial.

While we targeted Singaporean consumers with our electric scooters made in Germany, the e-jeep-ney projects takes a smarter approach. Introducing electric vehicles to private customers has many obstacles, the mindset of the consumer, the usually higher price and perceived lower performance of the vehicles, and the lack of sufficient charging infrastructure.

The e-jeep-ney project makes more sense, because it starts with commercial applications like public transportation. Consumers can at zero riskgain positive experience with electric vehicles (even for free thanks to great green advertising of socially responsible companies!). They get used to the proven and reliable electric products and lose their fear of this "new" technology. Also fleet operators, can try these excellent means of transportation before they decide to buy them and cut operational costs and reduce emissions, be it for inner city deliveries, postal services or school transports.

I am very excited to see how - after the public transportation and fleet managers adopted electric vehicles – consumers will get on board of private electric vehicles. This might happen via electric bicycle, motorcycle or car sharing schemes, until consumers are confident enough to own an electric vehicle.

One major problem, however, will be charging points to juice up the electric rides. Manila needs to have sufficient charging points to address range anxiety and flat batteries of users. As Dr. J.B. Manuel Briona, a research scientist at the center for engineering research and sustainable research at De La Salle University, told the BusinessMirror in an interview, the lack of battery charging stations is also a major concern of e-jeepneys. With more charging stations, operators would seriously consider getting an e-jeepney to their fleet, so Mr. Briona.

The set up of charging infrastructure in Manila or other electric mobility centers is easy and can be done fast. Infrastructure for charging is already in place, and virtually everywhere sockets, lights, aircons or other power-supplied equipment can be found. However, the access to this “electron fuel” is limited.

I believe charging infrastructure needs to be entirely open source, available at almost no cost to governments, companies and citizens, and it needs to be deployed on a larger scale before electric vehicles are introduced. Who would buy a petrol car without a petrol station around? Similar, (almost) no one would buy an electric car if no charging spots are around. Over the last one year, we worked on low cost infrastructure which enables the roll-out of the charging infrastructure consumers are waiting for and which could be implemented fast, inexpensive and easy. We see huge potential for Manila.

Hopefully the Philippine government will continue to support this amazing attempt to introduce zero emission transportation to its citizens. After the very successful first start of the trial, there is no obstacle other than just getting it done. I am looking forward to see the project take off in other parts of Metro Manila and the provinces, and enable the people to experience a pollution-free mode of public transport.

At my next visit in the Philippines, I hope more e-jeep-neys became the first choice of public transportation. So add color to the streets, especially green, and charge up your ride for a better world.

Jan Croeni, CEO, Eonlux – The Sustainable Mobility and Energy Company. For more information about electric mobility and open source charging infrastructure, please visit www.eonlux.com

[uls]

It is heartwarming to see, that among all countries worldwide, the Philippines are one of the first which decided to walk the talk and fight global warming by introducing an entirely electric transportation system powered by clean energy. While other countries, especially the Western countries are still talking, Asia is developing to become the new epi-centre of electric transportation.

it's coz in other countries, they have strict rules as to what they allow on public roads

before allowing electric vehicles on their roads, their governments have to study things thoroughly

from roadworthiness and safety to infrastructure (charging stations)

baka maging sagabal sa flow of traffic nila pag namatayan ng battery ang mga electric cars sa gitna ng kalye...

stuff like that

so it takes time for them to implement things

kasi pinag aaralan nila mabuti

we don't

classic pinoy attitude

bahala na

tackle the problems as they arise

---

btw, here's the link to the article posted above

actually, it's not a news article

it's a blog post

http://eonlux.wordpress.com/2010/02/...een-your-ride/

[ghosthunter]

[LEFT]Charge up and green your ride!
by Jan Croeni, CEO, Eonlux

[SIZE="4"]
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[romski123]

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.p...news&Itemid=58

[SIZE="4"]1st green loop in Asia rising in Palawan[/SIZE]
Written by Nonie Reyes / Photojournalist
Monday, 15 February 2010 20:47



PUERTO PRINCESA—This city used the red-letter day of Valentine’s to make its mark as the country’s first truly green city.

Officials, environmentalists and civil-society leaders gathered on a happy Sunday morning to break ground for what will be a new $2-million biodigester that can provide up to 1 megawatt of power to fuel the city’s growing electric public-transport fleet and other public energy needs. The dream project will soon rise in barangay Sta. Lourdes, where the 2.7-hectare Puerto Princesa sanitary landfill is located.

The sustainability of the biodigester will come from poultries, piggeries, wet markets and other biodegradable materials. The groundbreaking was led by Mayor Edward Hagedorn, who touted it as another flagship project that will help reduce the use of fossil fuel.

“Being an environmentally conscious place, we Palaweños focus on how to reduce pollution in our place, and the biggest producer of fumes here are the tricycles, [with about] 4,000 units that cater to the commuting public. So we tried an alternative by converting some [tricycles] to use liquified petroleum gas (LPG) which is less pollutive, but we found out that the supply of LPG is not stable and the cost gets high—plus, it still uses fossil fuel. That’s where we canvassed the availability of electric transport such as eJeepneys, eTrikes and electric quadricycles,” Hagedorn explained.

Seeking to be a carbon-free city, it has partnered with PhilBio, a firm specializing in the development and implementation of biogas and biomass technologies for energy utilization in the Philippines. Standing as a proponent for the municipality of Puerto Princesa is the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), a climate policy think tank and developer of community and city-based renewable-energy solutions.

“With the support of the 66 barangays, complying with waste segregation, hopefully by April 22, 2010, the city will be fully compliant with Republic Act [RA] 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Act. This will make our city the first one to comply with the RA 9003,” said Rod Saucelo, executive assistant IV for Puerto Princesa.

The residents and business sectors are looking forward to the success of the soon-to-be-producer of renewable energy. Soon, they hope, sustainable growth will not just be a buzzword but a reality in Puerto Princesa, allowing it to stay forever as its moniker, “City in the Forest.”
In Photo: Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn breaks ground at the site of a $2-million biodigester that can provide up to 1 megawatt of power to fuel the city’s growing electric public-transport fleet and other public energy needs. The historic event, highlighted by an array of electric vehicles and cyclists, brought the city closer to completing what has been dubbed as the first full climatefriendly green loop in Asia. Also in photo is Red Constantino, director of the Institute of Climate and Sustainable Cities, and Ian Alvarado, chief marketing officer of PhilBio. (Nonie Reyes)

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[romski123]

[romski123]

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[uls]

the project wasnt commercially viable in the first place

some Dutch foundation had to write them a check to get the project off the ground

The Makati Green Route is being funded and operated by the ICSC, through the assistance of Stichting Doen Foundation. “We have sourced the funding to set up the project for its initial run but its maintenance and continued operation will be dependent on an advertising-based business model,” shares Yvonne Castro, ICSC executive director. The free rides are crucial to the project’s goal of promoting the use of electric vehicles so a regular fare is not being considered.

now they have to make money by themselves to keep the project going

since they're offering rides for free, they have to earn money by other means

anybody wanna "adopt" an ejeepney?

or buy ad space?

ICSC encourages businesses and other organizations to support this green campaign by adopting an eJeepneysney or placing advertisements.

“We need the help of businesses in continuing this project. So we encourage those who are actively engaged in environmental initiatives to support the Makati Green Route Project,” Castro added.

yeah

the Philippines is the first to have e-vehicles running around

being first is great

nobody said it had to be sustainable right?

classic pinoy bahala na

[ghosthunter]

the Philippines is the first to have e-vehicles running around

being first is great

nobody said it had to be sustainable right?

classic pinoy bahala na

We cannot even get the CNG bus project to run smoothly after seven years after it was started.

[hein]

the Philippines is the first to have e-vehicles running around

being first is great

nobody said it had to be sustainable right?

classic pinoy bahala na

NINGAS COGON, malakas ang dating sa umpisa pero in the end wala din.

[romski123]

The eJeepney Revolution: The Beginning of a Greener Lifestyle

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=...a5e4d62657dd2f

MANILA, Feb. 21 (PNA) -- Electric vehicles have been around for a long time but only recently have they been put to actual use in local cities. Puttering around like large golf carts, they have long been treated as novelty vehicles, transporting customers within malls or transferring people from one building to another. And while they proved useful that way, they were not considered as “real” service vehicles.

The Electric Jeepney was featured in the news in 2009 as a cleaner alternative to the diesel-powered workhorses that move Metro Manila’s denizens around. And for some time, too, it was just an interesting piece of information to everyone who saw the features, until some groups decided that it was time to put the eJeepneys to actual use.

According to Bong Cruz of Philippine Utility Vehicles Inc., manufacturer of the eJeepney, the vehicle was considered environment-friendly because it did not create noise or produce harmful exhaust emissions like carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide that could contribute to climate change at excessive levels.

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 N2O (nitrous oxide) released to the atmosphere.

Unlike hybrids or electric concept cars, the eJeepneys use ordinary car batteries for power. And while this is far from the gold standard of electric vehicles (the latest ones use batteries similar to those used on laptops), it is still better than fossil fuels. The idea is that electric vehicles get “cleaner” as time passes and the electric grid begins using more eco-friendly power sources.

With a build similar to small “multicab” shuttle vehicles that seat 12 passengers, the eJeepneys are perfect for short community routes.

The Makati City government, in partnership with the Stichting Doen Foundation, launched last November the Makati Green Route project, where the iCSC deployed 10 new Philippine-made eJeepneys that offered free eJeepney rides in Salcedo Village and Legaspi Village, starting and ending in Landmark.

"Bold action is needed during this period when we are beset by the financial and climate crisis. We commend the leadership of Makati City for showing to the country and the world what Filipinos are capable of," said Red Constantino, director of the iCSC.

According to the iCSC, climate change-inducing carbon dioxide emissions was expected to triple in Asia in the next 20 years, coming mainly from the transport sector. Sustainable transport and clean energy utilization - key facets of iCSC's programs - are considered key measures that can help mitigate global warming as well as build more climate-resilient communities.

Before the launching of ejeepneys in Makati City, a Makati office worker would need to walk long distances to get to their offices. Apart from a few (illegal) FX shuttles or taxi cabs, there are no public utility vehicles in Salcedo and Legaspi. This means paying anywhere from P12 (FX shuttle) to over P30 (taxi flag down rate) to travel a distance of a little over a kilometer. And while there are covered, elevated walkways and connected parking buildings, strolling in business attire the afternoon heat is not an appealing prospect especially in the summer months.

According to Chan Donaire of Citibank, she and her officemates appreciate the existence of the Green Route. "Pagbaba namin ng office meron agad. [When we step out of the office there’s one waiting] It's really accessible. Plus you don't have to pay for anything." Getting from her office building in Salcedo Village to, say, Greenbelt mall is usually a 20-minute brisk walk through a couple of underpasses and the elevated walkway. With the eJeepneys the same 20 minutes are spent in relative comfort.

For Arnold Villegas, also a worker in Makati, the presence of eJeepneyss has made his workday more convenient.

"Iyong dating nilalakad mo, pwede ka nang sumakay. Mas mabilis na ngayong makakarating sa pupuntahan tapos convenient at libre pa. [Before I used to walk, now I can ride. It’s faster, more convenient, and free]," he said.

Eric Monil shares the same sentiment. "Nung wala pang eJeepneys, naglalakad lang kasi wala pang biyahe." [Before the eJeepneyss I used to walk because there were no rides available.]

Some non-regular passengers are not aware that the service is free and will often ask how much the fare is. Rodel Luto, a MAPSA-assigned eJeepneys driver says "Sinasabi namin sa kanila na libre ang sakay. Pero may mga iba na nagsasabing magbibigay sila so tinuturo na lang namin iyong box. [We tell them that the service is free. But since they insist on giving something so we point to the box] referring to the suggestion/comment box located in the passenger area. Others who still want to help give the drivers food or bottled water.

While providing a convenient means of transportation to Makati workers is a worthy enoughgoal, the Makati Green Route Project ultimately aims to educate every passenger on living greener lifestyle.

“We want them to experience riding an environment-friendly vehicle in order for them to realize that it is safe and comparable to regular cars,” says Constantino.

The project is being appreciated by Makati workers not just for the free rides but also because the vehicles do lesser harm to the environment. "Dapat maging tuloy-tuloy itong gawin kasi maganda iyong programa. Malaking tulong sa mga tao sa Makati. Tapos mababawasan pa iyong polusyon," [It should continue because the program is good. It’s a big help to the people of Makati and it lessens pollution] shares Romeo Taripe, a Makati worker and resident.

Currently, there are 12 eJeepneys in Makati, 8 of which travel two routes (Salcedo and Legaspi), with the other four serving as back-ups in case of mechanical/technical problems.

The Makati Green Route is being funded and operated by the ICSC, through the assistance of Stichting Doen Foundation. “We have sourced the funding to set up the project for its initial run but its maintenance and continued operation will be dependent on an advertising-based business model,” shares Yvonne Castro, ICSC executive director. The free rides are crucial to the project’s goal of promoting the use of electric vehicles so a regular fare is not being considered.

ICSC encourages businesses and other organizations to support this green campaign by adopting an eJeepneysney or placing advertisements.

“We need the help of businesses in continuing this project. So we encourage those who are actively engaged in environmental initiatives to support the Makati Green Route Project,” Castro added. (PNA)
RMA/CLTC