THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is pushing to convert traditional public utility jeepneys (PUJs) to electric-powered vehicles, noting that the shift would be both environmentally sustainable and cost-efficient.
In an interview with The Manila Times on Friday, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said conversion to electric vehicles should be seen “positively,” however, he acknowledged that Filipinos’ cultural attachment to traditional jeepneys may pose a challenge.
“We need to look at it very closely and very positively because the price of oil, diesel, or gasoline is increasing," Solidum said.
He added that shifting to electric-powered transport vehicles — either to solar energy or lower-cost electricity — could provide significant savings for public utility vehicle drivers, many of whom are struggling with rising fuel prices.
“One of the ideas that we are looking at, and perhaps with our inventors, would be how to convert the traditional fuel-driven jeepney to an electric motor-driven jeepney,” Solidum said.
He noted, however, that because some jeepneys have steel bodies, they can be difficult to convert.
“Some of our jeepneys are very heavy because of the steel body, and so we hope that this can also be looked into on modifying it so that we can still have a substantial amount of material to be used so that our drivers can be assisted in their desire to really have cheaper operational costs,” he said.
Solidum added that the agency had previous initiatives in e-trike development, pushing for the conversion of more fuel-driven vehicles to electric ones, which not only reduces operational costs but also eliminates noise pollution.
He also called on LGUs to support the shift by establishing charging infrastructures in their communities.
“We hope that the local government can put up a good charging infrastructure in their locality, so if it's solar, it can be free, or they can pay a little amount,” Solidum said.
