Samples of the electric jeepneys to be manufactured by a Chinese firm in Bacolod will arrive in the city at the end of April for test runs, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said Tuesday, April 4
The modern public utility vehicles are designed to look like traditional Filipino jeepneys.
Benitez signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in February with Jiangsu Fengchuen New Energy Power Technology Co. that plans to put up a P10 billion plant in Bacolod City that will manufacture e-Jeepneys.
The MOU states that both parties will support the establishment of an e-Jeepney assembly plant and modern industrial park in Bacolod City to boost local economic growth.
The aim is to make Bacolod the first example of a green public transport city in the Philippines, the MOU said.
Through a Public Transport Electrification “sandbox’, both parties agreed to promote the demonstration of e-jeepneys in Bacolod City and to build charging stations for their operation.
The city government will assist the Chinese firm in getting permits for its electric vehicle charging stations in Bacolod.
The manufacturing plant aims to manufacture electric public utility vehicles for sale in the Philippines and other Southeast Asia countries.
The e-Jeepneys are expected to operate in five routes in Bacolod that are not operational yet.*