Firm to present “e-trike” to Cebu City officials

CEBU, Philippines - An industrial company will introduce to the Cebu City government today an environment-friendly vehicle that can save on fuel – the electronic tricycle.

The electric tricycles, also known as e-trikes, will be of big help in lessening the pollution caused by gasoline-powered tricycles and save on the costly import of fuel, said Councilor Nida Cabrera.

“No emission. Uyon ra ko nga this kind of vehicle ipadagan diri sa atong kadalanan,” said Cabrera, who also chairs the council committee on environment.

BEET Philippines, Inc., a Manila-based company that manufactures e-trikes, is set to demonstrate today to Mayor Michael Rama the vehicle and its uses.

“Save on fuel costs, save the environment, save the future, go electric!” is BEET’s slogan. The company works in partnership with a Japanese-based company.

Cabrera said this will be the first time that e-trikes will be introduced in Cebu.

The vehicles, under the Philippine Energy Efficiency Project of the Department of Energy, have been introduced and have been seen plying the roads in some parts of Manila, said Cabrera.

An e-trike is powered by lithium-ion battery technology and electric motor. This vehicle can carry up to seven passengers including the driver.

It has a maximum speed of 60 kilometer per hour and can travel up to 100 km on overnight charge. Daily fuel cost is pegged at P45-50 a day.— (FREEMAN)