The national government is moving to steer the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) toward the use of electric vehicles as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) targets the deployment of at least 6,000 electric jeepneys this year in line with the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA).

LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the agency wants public transport modernization efforts to increasingly focus on electric vehicles as the government works to reduce dependence on fuel-powered public utility vehicles.

“We have, out of 10,000 or 11,000 modernized jeepneys, wala pa tayong 1,000 [electric vehicles], let’s say 1,000, kasi 900 plus ‘yan eh, so sayang naman, and we’d like to push the Public Transport Modernization Program towards the adaptation of electric vehicles,” Mendoza said.

The target is anchored on Republic Act No. 11697 or the EVIDA Law, which requires at least five percent of the fleets of public transport operators to consist of electric vehicles.

Based on LTFRB estimates, there are around 120,000 public utility jeepneys operating nationwide. Meeting the law’s minimum requirement would mean placing about 6,000 electric jeepneys on the road.

Under the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) E-Transport Loan Program, public utility vehicle operators seeking to transition to electric vehicles may access financing assistance for vehicle acquisition.

The program comes as transport operators continue to grapple with volatile fuel prices, one of the main arguments being raised by government agencies in favor of electrification.

The DTI has allocated P3 billion for the lending program and eligible operators may borrow up to P3 million, payable within three to five years.

For the DOTr, the financing package could help accelerate a transition that has been slower than initially expected.

“This model, combined with the DTI’s loan package and private sector collaboration, is expected to provide a major boost to the government’s modernization program. We hope it will help accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and speed up the implementation of transport modernization,” said Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure Dioscoro Reyes.

Transport group operator Pasang Masda said operators should begin preparing for the transition as studies have pointed to long-term savings from electric-powered vehicles.

“Palagay ko ito na ang tamang panahon na magkaroon tayo ng pagbabago sa hanay ng transportasyon, mag-switch na po tayo sa e-vehicle at may pag-aaral ang mga opisyales dyan na malaki ang magiging savings at ito ay environment-friendly, no noise pollution at magiging maayos ang pagsebisyo sa ating mga mananakay,” said Pasang Masda President Roberto “Ka Obet” Martin.