ALTODAP eyes electric jeepneys due to consecutive oil price hikes

The Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) is planning to use electric jeepneys following the successive oil price hikes in the country.

In Jonathan Andal’s Monday report on “Balitanghali,” ALTODAP said the electric jeepneys or e-jeepneys will ply their routes in Binangonan, Rizal and Santa Lucia, Pasig.

“Tig-dalawang electric [vehicles] muna ang susubukan namin. Kung ito po ay magiging maganda, siguro po ay itutuloy-tuloy namin,” ALTODAP president Melencio "Boy" Vargas said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(We will test two electric jeepneys in each route. We will continue to use them if they work well.)

“May nagsabi na rin sa akin, by 2040 puro electric vehicles na. Baka panahon na para makapag-testing tayo ng electric vehicles,” he added.

(Somebody told me we will be using electric vehicles by 2040, so I think it’s time to test electric vehicles.)

ALTODAP is working on the documents with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The use of electric vehicles may start this month or in July, ALTODAP said.

“Mayroon kaming nakunan ng electric [vehicle] na may charging station sila dito sa Cainta. Ang tanong po natin diyan, ilang oras ang charging natin at kailangan pa po, magtayo ng charging station,” Vargas said.

(We acquired an electric vehicle [from a supplier] that has a charging station in Cainta, Rizal. The question is, how long will the charging take? We also need to construct charging stations.)

He added that the group is also looking into the cost of the electric vehicle’s battery.

Earlier today, retailers announced major increase in price adjustments to mark the fifth straight week of increases for gasoline, third for diesel, and second for kerosene.

Some oil companies said they will increase prices per liter of gasoline and diesel by P1.80 each, and kerosene by P1.50. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF/KG, GMA Integrated News