Filipinos encouraged to use e-bikes amid fuel price hike

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) encouraged Filipinos to use electric bikes and re-chargeable vehicles amid the recent fuel price hikes, according to Cedric Castillo’s “24 Oras” report on Friday.

DOST Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr. said together with some universities, they are doing research on developing efficient power source for vehicles powered by electricity.

“Nagsusulong kami ng mga research, na tingnan din ‘yung mga fuel cells, mga batteries. Iba’t-iba pong universities ang ating partner upang mag-develop ng mga bago at episyenteng mga pamamaraan na magkaroon talaga ng sariling supply dito tayo ng mga baterya,” Solidum said.

(We are doing research, which also looks at fuel cells and batteries. We partnered with various universities to develop new and efficient ways to have our own supply of batteries.)

However, it is not easy to find charging stations for electric vehicles.

“Yung technology, dinevelop at na-prove. So, ito ay iko-commercialize. Siyempre para maging successful din yung commercialization, ma-patronize din ‘yan,” Solidum said.

(The technology is being developed and proved. So, it will be commercialized. Of course, in order for commercialization to be successful, it must also be patronized.)

Several Filipinos used electric bikes to save fuel and fare following the consecutive hikes in pump prices.

Electric bike user Brenda San Luis said her fully charged electric bike could last for two days, adding that it does not affect her consumption of electricity.

“Wala naman, kasi yung charging niya eh mga P12 lang ang idadagdag niya sa konsumo ng kuryente. Opo per month po yun,” San Luis said.

(It does not consume a lot of electricity because its charging only adds P12 in the consumption of electricity per month.)

An electric bike distributor in Mandaluyong City increased in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. The price of an electric bike ranges from P25,000 to P100,000.

Meanwhile, three committees in the House of Representatives approved a bill which creates a national energy policy and a regulatory framework for the use of electric vehicles in the country.

The bill aims to encourage the use of electric vehicles in the public and private sector.

Based on the guidelines of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for the use of electric vehicles, personal mobility scooters are allowed only to cross private roads.

The electric motorcycles, tricycles, and vehicles with four wheels must have registration from the LTO and its driver should also have a license. They are also allowed to cross national roads.

As of February 28, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) reported that there were at least 367 operational electric jeepneys nationwide. -- Richa Noriega/BAP, GMA News