eSakay Inc., a unit of Manila Electric Co., on Friday launched an electric jeep service plying between Makati City and Mandaluyong City.
“Meralco has long been an advocate for the wider use of electric vehicles in the country with the EV shuttling service and electric bike sharing program at the Meralco Center in Orgtigas. It soon became clear to us that electric vehicles were indeed a viable transport solution,” eSakay chairman and Meralco senior vice president Alfredo Panlilio said Friday.
“That’s when we partnered with private companies, government institutions and now, public transport operators who expressed keen interest in utilizing EVs for their transport needs,” he added.
Esakay, an end-to-end electric transport solutions provider, helps address the country’s snowballing transportation concerns and answers the Department of Transportation’s gradual but inevitable shift in its massively ambitious 2017 Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
The company has a provisional authority to operate 15 eJeeps from the Buendia MRT Station-Mandaluyong City Hall via Jupier St. developmental route.
“Beyond supporting transport operators by supplying ePUVs and building charging stations, we realized that we could create a greater impact by being one with them. From this, was born our project to operate an electric jeepney route connecting Mandaluyong to the Makati CBD,” eSakay president and chief executive Raymond Ravelo said.
“This project is just one of many steps in our efforts to spur EV adoption, as we work towards a common goal of nation-building, sustainable growth and inclusive development. With this route, we, at eSakay, hope to prove the viability of electric vehicles and inspire other operators to follow suit,” he added.
The modern eJeeps from eSakay are 100 percent electric and emission free, compliant with PUV innovations for the convenience and safety of the riding public and equipped with side entrances, onboard Wifi and an automated fare collection system.
The Department of Transportation is in the process of replacing all public utility vehicles aged 15 years or more with modern e-jeepney under the PUVMP.
The modern PUVs are designed to be environment-friendly, safe, secure and convenient with due consideration to persons with disabilities.