By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — The Victory Liner, Inc. on Wednesday (Nov. 27) launched the Philippines’ first fully electric bus at 22 Judge Juan Luna Street in Baler Motorpool here.
The launching marked a groundbreaking step in sustainable public transportation, in partnership with Higer, a leader in electric vehicle innovation.
Transportation Usec. Andy Ortega said “it’s historic and first time for Victory Liner to have an ebus.”
“It will achieve the government’s low carbon emission transportation. The low carbon emission does not necessarily mean electric vehicle only but there are other ways,” he added.
Ortega will be coordinating with Victory Liner whether or not it will be successful or not in achieving low carbon emission as encouraged by the government for the transport industry to comply.
Lower the tariff and incentives to importers are the steps being undertaken by the government to encourage public transport modernization.
Low carbon emission vehicles for car manufacturers and 5 percent of all public vehicles as initial target of the government, which is moving slowly.
“We are seeing the scenario that more electric buses with low carbon emission in the future,” Ortega said.
“We welcome the private initiative of Victory Liner in achieving the global goal of low carbon emission,” he added.
Marivic H. Del Pilar, marketing of VLI, new facility, main bus depot where buses are repaired with 18,000 line item spare parts, new investments
The electric bus will be driven from the VLI depot to Ortigas Avenue and back for customer experience
Del Pilar is the third generation of Hernandez family. Victory Liner was founded by her grandfather.
It’s not to be the first to be electric bus per se as there had been many electric vehicles already.
For commuters, this is the first.
When Del Pilar goes abroad, she asked what kind of buses are plying their roads.
“We also would like to contribute to the decrease in carbon emissions,” she said. .
It will run from Cubao to San Fernando City, Pampanga and if turns out good, more units will be fielded.
It’s a Complete Built Unit (CBU) and everything is imported.
“Globally, in other countries, the government mandates full electric vehicle.
Nobody is forcing us to go electric bus,” Del Pilar said.
“Two round trips will be initially operated, with no oil change and transmission cost, however, there may be changes in the electric bill or less expenses in spare parts and we will never know,” she added.
“If the market will not lower the price (ebus), nobody will even buy it,” Del Pilar said.
Victory LIner was the first to install Wi-Fi router in the bus in the Philippines.
She clarified that there are electric buses used in the airports as shuttle buses.
However, Victory Liner has no city operations, and the bus fare is regulated based on diesel fuel fare matrix.
The battery of the electric bus can be changed and therefore, disposable.
Engr Brixio Macalinao, operations manager of VLI, the two new electric buses are good for eight hours travel and the fare is P141.00.
The operation of the ebus will start in December this year with the same fare with that of the regular buses.
Allen Zhou, from Higer China, we need higher voltage to run the electric bus and not only 20 voltage.
“In China, we also introduce hybrid bus,” Zhou said.
Elison Tan, from Higer Philippines, said that the electric bus has a 65-passenger capacity, 481 KWH power and 350 to 500 KMs travel distance for fully charged bus.
It was also considered as a monumental step toward a cleaner and greener Philippines.
It’s a special price of P5 million each for the initial two VLI electric buses.
The life span of the battery will depend on the operating hours and 80 percent less in the cost of maintenance.
Baguio is 268 kilometers away and the two new electric buses are good for one way.
The electric bus has no engine, no change oil and it will contribute to low carbon emission such that 100 tons of carbon dioxide will be prevented from the atmosphere.
The training of the first batch of drivers of Victory Liners electric buses is underway.
