THE Department of Energy (DOE) in the Visayas is currently tapping local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental for the use of electric tricycles (e-trikes) to help achieve energy self-sufficiency by reducing dependency on imported fuels.
DOE-Visayas Energy Resource Development and Utilization Division Chief Eduardo Amante, who spoke at the Power Patrol Seminar on Energy Efficiency and Conservation at the Sugarland Hotel in Bacolod City on Tuesday, said the introduction of “e-trike” is under the agency’s National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program (NEECP).
Amante said the DOE is in the process of identifying cities and municipalities that are receptive and have the capacity to make the program successful and sustainable.
“One of the main advantages of using e-trike is that it has no carbon emission thus, the environment is protected,” he said, adding that “since the vehicle does not use fuel, we can choose what power to use, mainly renewables.”
The DOE targets to distribute an initial batch of 3, 000 “e-trike” units in the country before the year ends.
As to how many are intended for Negros Occidental, Amante said “it will still depend on the acceptability of its cities and municipalities.”
Currently, several LGUs, including the cities of Cadiz and Kabankalan, have already expressed interest to receive the units and help in the implementation of the project.
For Cadiz City, the DOE-Visayas is set to conduct the technical presentation next week. Other cities and municipalities are still being tapped, he said.
Under the project, the DOE is partnering with a financial institution, most probably the Land Bank of the Philippines.
The units with base amount of about P400,000 each will be given to recipient-LGUs in a form of loan and to be availed by drivers in their respective localities.
“Since this is a rent-to-own program, we are looking at the affordability for the drivers to pay of the amortization within five years so that they will have the chance to own the units with corresponding warranties,” Amante said.
Those LGUs getting more than 50 “e-trike” units will receive incentives, including the establishment of solar charging station.
The agency’s energy efficiency and conservation program is geared not only towards lower emission, but also to delay the construction of more power plants by reducing the consumption demand, he added.
