More resorts using e-vehicles

MANILA, Philippines - Demand for electric vehicles is accelerating across big resorts in the country, the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) said.

Aside from being used for public transport in Makati, Las Pinas, Filinvest City and Muntinlupa, electric jeepneys are now fast becoming the vehicles of choice in resort establishments, EVAP president Rommel Juan said.

“These are used in ferrying guests around the resort and even to the nearest commercial establishments,” Juan said.

Among the  popular resorts that are using electric jeepneys include Island Cove in Cavite, Plantation Bay in Cebu, Fairways & Blue Waters and Crown Regency in Boracay, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Camp John Hay in Baguio, and San Benito in Batangas.

“It is the perfect mode of transport for luxury resorts because it is quiet and smoke free. No air and noise pollution. It will not spread toxic fumes in the environment and will thus make the stay of the guests more pleasant. Electric vehicles have all these benefits so that is why they are gaining more popularity,” he said.

With the growing popularity of electric vehicles in the country, EVAP is calling for more local battery makers, especially lithium ion battery makers, to supply the growing demand for batteries.

“For deep cycle lead acid batteries, we already have our world-class Motolite batteries which are proudly Philippine-made. Trojan batteries from the US are also very much active in the Philippines already. But for lithium ion batteries which are now increasingly gaining popularity among local electric vehicle players, there is still no major supplier, much more manufacturer, who has come in. We badly need a major lithium ion battery provider to set up shop and even do local assembly in the Philippines,” Juan said.

He said with more battery options, the Philippine electric vehicle industry would be stronger and more viable.

“These batteries are the cornerstone of one of the most important EV infrastructure, the battery charging and swapping stations. We need these to make EV fleet operations more viable,” Juan said.