Philippines: Turning 50,000 diesel-powered jeepneys into electric vehicles sought

QEV Philippines is proposing to convert jeepneys, the Philippines popular mode of transport run with diesel engine, to more eco-friendly electric vehicles.

QEV Philippines, a joint venture led by Aboitiz conglomerate President and CEO for Transport Systems, Endika Aboitiz, and Spanish investor Enrique Bañuelos, seeks the conversion of an initial 50,000 jeepneys over a period of 5 years at a cost of $10,000 per unit, according to a Philippine News Agency report.

The "Green Jeepney" would then be charged by charging stations operated by AboitizPower in collaboration with other local companies such as Meralco, Shell, Ayala, and SM.

“What we propose is not replacement, but rehabilitation. Rehabilitate old jeepneys and make them like new, complete with electrical motors that will make it run on electricity instead of diesel. Help drivers pay for the rehabilitation, through a special program that the Philippine government will make out for them—and in the end put more money in their pockets because the costs of charging with electricity would be so much cheaper than filling it up with diesel,” Bañuelos noted.