EVAP satisfied with government electric tricycle program

MANILA, Philippines - The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) said it is pleased with the recent progress in the government’s electric tricycle program.

The program seeks to replace 100,000 of the estimated 3.5 million regular tricycles in the country with electric tricycles (e-trikes).

“After a lot of delays since the Asian Development Bank-funded tricycle replacement program first came to fruition, the Department of Energy is in final stages of talks with the last qualifying company in the public bidding,” EVAP executive director Bodie Pulido said.

According to the EVAP, a public bidding was conducted two years ago for an initial 3,000 e-trikes for pilot testing.

The group said the DOE is now negotiating for a lower price with Bemac Transport, the remaining qualifying bidder and also an EVAP member.

“We hope that the awarding of the bid contract and deployment of e-trikes will happen soon. This is expected to generate new jobs and business opportunities in the electric vehicle industry and in the support industries,” Pulido said.

Pulido said the EVAP believes the e-trike program is a necessary catalyst for the electric tricycle industry.

“Once this is rolled out, there will be more exposure for the electric tricycles and the public will see its advantages.