EMotors, Inc. launches ZuM E-Trikes, flagship dealership in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - EMotors, Inc. (EMI), the 100-percent Filipino-owned electric trike (e-trike) maker, recently launched its ZuM electric trikes and its flagship branch and first dealership in the Visayas, starting with Cebu’s Mandaue City. “This important milestone marks the start of our nationwide business operations. It also marks the beginning of our long-standing advocacy of poverty alleviation, livelihood and job creation, and climate change mitigation,” says Beth Lee, EMotors CEO.

“EMotors is a social enterprise whose primary goal is not to make money, but to meet needs; our success depends not on staying ahead of others, but on serving others and our purpose is to glorify God,” according to Lee. 

EMotors aims to provide a solution to three compelling problems:  low income, high cost and high pollution. “We offer a solution to serve the needs of Filipinos for an affordable, low-cost, low-maintenance, innovative and easy-to-use vehicle, one that helps increase their incomes while at the same time, help clean our air.”

The province of Cebu, known as a premier industrial hub of the South, continues to retain sustainable, environment-friendly business practices while achieving growth. As one of the provinces hit by typhoon Yolanda due to changes in the global climate, programs and businesses that help protect the environment and lower the city’s carbon footprint by lessening pollution is a welcome endeavor. 

With the growth Cebu is experiencing, given that it is a major tourism draw, the use of clean, green, zero-emission e-trikes to shuttle Cebuanos and tourists alike will not only create jobs, yield increased incomes for owners, but serve as a clear commitment to sustainability.

“The economics and sustainability of e-trikes is actually very good. It can be a means of transportation that can be used also in rural, remote areas, reaching the people who really cannot afford cars. And the cost of fuel goes higher as you go to more remote areas due to the high cost of logistics getting the fuel to those places,” says Sec. Almendras, who was formerly the DOE Secretary for three years.

“In places where the price of gasoline is even higher, the use of electric tricycles makes even more sense. It results in greater income for the driver, a cleaner environment for all and is safer for the riding public,“ continues Sec. Almendras. “People’s lives are going to be so much better because of projects like this.“

For his part, Siquijor Vice Governor Dingdong Avanzado says “This is something our province can really benefit from since we are so dependent on tricycles as the mode of transportation. I know how beneficial this would be for our country.”

EMotors Inc. is the country’s first and only 100-percent Filipino-owned manufacturer and assembler of three-wheeled zero-emission electric vehicles (“e-trikes”) to be registered with the Dept. of Trade and Industry/Board of Investment’s Motor Vehicle Development Program under EO156. It is likewise the first to be registered with the EO226, the Investment Priority Plan. The company is also accredited with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

The ribbon-cutting and opening ceremonies was officiated by Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, International Designer Kenneth Cobonpue, EMI CEO Elizabeth Lee, Founding Director Helen Lee, and Founding Director Lucio Ong.