Meralco may invest in assembly of public e-vehicles

MANILA, Philippines — After launching its initial electric jeep (e-jeep) transport service, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is looking at investing in the assembly of electric public utility vehicles (e-PUVs) to support its venture into transport service networks.

Meralco chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said the company is contemplating on partnering with assemblers of e-jeeps to support its newly-formed subsidiary, eSakay Inc.

He said the new unit was envisioned to become an end-to-end electric vehicle transport solutions provider with the propagation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and deployment of the EVs through EV supply and EV fleet operations.

“We might invest (in the assembly of e-jeeps),” he said. “We just don’t know which arm of Meralco.”

eSakay was formed last year to engage in the business of owning, maintaining, and operating transport service networks of charging stations, batteries, and vehicles utilizing electric energy and other alternative energy sources.

This is part of its continuous disruption of its traditional business and to adopt new technologies to go with the times to serve the changing needs of its customers.

The e-jeeps are being supplied by Star8 Green Technology Corp., an Australia-based alternative energy firm producing solar panels, EVs and other green technology products and applications.

Star8’s EV units are imported from China and investing in an assembly line is a natural step for Meralco, eSakay chairman and Meralco senior vice president Alfredo Panlilio said.

“We want to explore some point of cooperation on the vehicle, (but) we haven’t started those discussions. What MVP and the group are thinking is really how do you propagate EVs. The key to that is supply,” he said.

Currently, Meralco is searching for potential partners for the assembly of e-PUVs.

“There will be a time when we have to make negotiations on a partner, acquire, or build it organically and then we decide. Hopefully it’s promising,” Panlilio said.

Last week, eSakay launched its Buendia MRT Station-Mandaluyong City Hall via Jupiter St. developmental route wherein 15 eJeeps will be operated.

The company will study the operation of this first route before applying for another franchise from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

This is not Meralco’s first time to enter the EV or green mobility. The power distributor began operating eShuttles for its employees within the Meralco campus as early as 10 years ago.

In 2015, Meralco also launched an e-bike sharing program that allows its employees to travel point-to-point conveniently.

Outside Meralco, it deployed eShuttles and charging stations servicing the Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University Canlubang, the Net Group, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Shangri-La at the Fort, and private developers in Muntinlupa and Taguig.