Etrikes arrive in Surigao

MANILA, Philippines - The British embassy recently turned over an electric tricycle, or Etrike, to the city government of Surigao City as part of a project by the Islas Ecology Development Advocacy (ISDA) Foundation to push for an alternative mode of public transport that is not only good for the environment but also economically viable.

British embassy representative and Climate Change Attaché Angela Ibay handed over the keys to the Etrike to Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra.

“In Europe there is much talk of electric vehicles.  Here in the Philippines, that vision is turned into reality.  E-jeepneys are now plying the streets of Makati. Now we see the introduction of another alternative mode of environmentally friendly and sustainable transport, the Etrike, with its Philippine design, adapted to Philippine conditions, and using renewable energy as a source of electric power,” said Ibay.  

The ISDA Foundation conducted a study on the viability and sustainability of a solar powered charging station to service public electric tricycles to show that green technologies can be affordable. The results of the study will encourage private sector participation in finding practical solutions for climate change mitigation.

In the Philippines, the transport sector is the biggest source of greenhouse gases comprising about 38 percent of emissions. Presently there are more than 3,000 two-stroke tricycles operating in Surigao City. The number of two-stroke tricycles is increasing and not only do they add to traffic congestion but they are a main source of noise and air pollution. The Etrikes can accommodate about eight people – more than the usual capacity of two-stroke tricycles – so switching to the Etrike will not only reduce carbon emissions but will also contribute to traffic decongestion.

An important component of the project is providing the tricycle drivers and operators access to credit, which the foundation has done through an arrangement with a rural bank for affordable micro-financing to enable drivers and operators to purchase the Etrikes. 

According to ISDA Foundation, the Surigao City government has already discontinued the renewal of tricycle franchises except for electric tricycles, which the foundation hopes will pave the way for tricycle drivers and operators to make the switch to the Etrike.