Given the recent surge of fuel costs as well as the continuous urge worldwide to save the environment, a switch to e-transport mechanisms doesn't sound like a bad idea at the moment.
A P312-million investment has already been made by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as part of its pronouncement to continuously prioritize an ecosystem of e-mobility solutions for the country's transportation sector.
The said investment will be used on e-mobility related projects to modernize and uplift the transportation sector and reduce GHG emissions to save the environment since the Department of Energy (DOE) is planning to procure E-trike units.
With this, DOST will be able to assist in the DOE's need for S&T interventions such as EV charging needs, low-cost battery storage system, battery management system, low-cost materials and production for e-trike, battery parts and components, mining technology to source out raw materials, etc.
Dr. Enrico Paringit, Executive Director of DOST's Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) urged the public to support efforts to boost financing for e-mobility research and development and use and adoption of research-based technologies in the transportation industry and stressed the lower value of e-mobility, which costs 40 percent less than gasoline.
During a virtual press conference, DOST announced 16 e-mobility initiatives that target diverse areas of the transportation industry. Among them is a development of an E-Mobility R&D Center which will become the country's first e-trike center which will be built in Cagayan.
Another one is Charging in Minutes (CharM). This project attempts to reduce the time it takes to charge electric automobiles. In comparison to the traditional 4-6 hours of sluggish charging, this fast-charging system can fully charge electric automobiles in 30 minutes. The capabilities of the CharM are crucial in aiding the country's development of a more flexible and ecologically friendly mass transportation system.
There is also a plan for a design, development, demonstration and business planning of a Flexible Electric Van (Flev) and a 23-seater Electric Jeepney (E-Jeepney) for Logistics and Passenger Transport.
According to Paringit, e-mobility solutions are less expensive to maintain since the battery has fewer moving parts than a traditional automobile, making maintenance easier, less frequent, and more economical overall.
Paringit believes that electric vehicles will help minimize harmful air pollution by not generating any emissions.
"E-mobility solutions will help alleviate the Philippines' energy challenges as the country transitions to renewable energy sources," he said, “DOST-PCIEERD welcomes the public to join us in speeding the country's transition to e-mobility as a pioneer and partner in facilitating innovations, " he added.