By Yas Ocampo DAVAO CITY -- The city government here has included in its list of approved vehicles that would ply the roads electric tricycles. This, after the city council approved on second reading last week the inclusion of unconventional motorized e-vehicles as among the legally franchised vehicles. Electric tricycles have been plying the roads for two years but were not clearly part of any franchise list, whether from national government agencies or that of the local government. The vehicles have almost zero emissions, running on rechargeable batteries, and have been used as an alternative to taxi services around the city. However, as the Traffic Code mandates, tricycles may only ply identified roads. So far, the city has not been clear about electric tricycles. Motorists have also clamored for the tricycles to be more visible and audible, as these could quietly travel the streets at speeds of up to 50 to 60 kph. The item is up for third reading this week. Meanwhile, some companies have proposed to the city council an exchange program that would allow unit owners of old tricycles to trade in their units for the brand new electric tricycle types, for an arrangement. The request is still being discussed on the committee level.