E-JEEPNEYS ROCK MAKATI

UNEDITED SAMPLE NEWS ARTICLE
By Samantha Grace Ignacio Cruz
II-Robert Hooke


Photo By Doctian on Flickr

The “e-jeepney” made its commercial debut at the Makati central business district early this month. These environmental friendly vehicles became a source of applause and approval for earth lovers everywhere.

The Green Renewable Independent Power Producer Inc. (GRIPP), which originated from Greenpeace is to be thanked for this wonderful innovation.

A year ago, a pilot test was conducted along Ayala Avenue. The city officials came out with the first batch of e-jeepneys. Each can seat around 14 people. Each had its own route around the Legaspi and Salcedo Villages. Four e-jeepneys were assigned to service office employers in the two villages for the meantime.

Executive director of Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Alberto Suansing, said, “We consider this a historic event. This will revolutionize the transport sector in the country. This is a milestone in the history of motor vehicles in the Philippines; we shall soon see electric-powered vehicles in other places.”

Later on, officials plan these colorful innovations to run like ordinary jeepneys, once they get the fund to produce more of the kind.

According to Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, the delayed introduction of the e-jeepneys has been a blessing in disguise. Had it been introduced a year ago, as planned, people would hardly feel the need for it. But now, as the cost of fuel rise and the problem of air pollution grows, these vehicles are now a very timely option.

Each e-jeepney costs 500,000 pesos to make, and run on charged batteries via electrical sockets overnight. They were designed by artist Toym Imao, son of Abdulmari Imao, free of charge.

Ferdie Raquel Santos of the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP) says “It runs from 40 to 60 kilometers per hour with six to eight hours of charging time. Each charge would last 90 kilometers, conservative estimates.”

A single charge of the batteries will cost them just 158 pesos. This translates to a 3 peso per kilometer expense, a more thrifty choice over the existing 8 pesos per kilometer rate among diesel jeepneys.

In transportation terms, an overnight charge of these batteries will allow an e-jeepney to make up to 15 round trips along a three kilometer route for about two days, organizers said.

Athena Ballesteros, GRIPP chair, talked about the use of biogas digesters instead of electricity from Meralco to charge the batteries. As the digesters convert biodegradable wastes from households and companies into gaseous energy, they would save up to an estimated one peso per kilowatt hour and would greatly save costs.

She added that the development of biogas power plants is already in process, thanks to Makati City and other local governments.

The said campaign will benefit our community greatly. Greenhouse gases and air pollutants in the area will be reduced, organic waste can be used for a great cause, and health and safety of citizens will improve.

Mayor Binay said it best, as he stated “In Makati, we have started with e-jeepneys in the hope that when it becomes commercially viable, it will address the problems of rising fuel costs, promote the use of alternative fuels and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.”