PNP eyes electric patrol cars amid fuel cost concerns

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it is considering integrating electric vehicles (EVs) into its patrol fleet in response to expected fuel price hikes from supply disruptions amid the United States-Iran conflict.

“For an agency that is dependent on fuel in its daily operation, we view the Middle East tensions as a wake-up call for us to revisit the policy on patrol vehicle procurement,” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

“But we need to conduct our own study and assessment first on whether or not electric vehicles are practical, reliable, and suitable to the daily routine of our personnel on the ground,” he added.

According to Nartatez, the conflict will likely affect the supply of petroleum products and raise operational costs for law enforcement.

The PNP chief noted that the daily requirement in police operations including fast and reliable response must not be compromised during the study on the use of EVs.

“Part of the study is its operational suitability, public safety remains the top priority,” Nartatez said.

Earlier, the Department of Energy - Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) said fuel prices could increase by up to P10 per liter in the coming weeks as tensions between the US and Iran continue to affect global oil markets.

“Kapag umabot po ng USD20 [ang increase per barrel], hindi na. Magkakaroon pa tayo ng probably P7 to P10 per liter na magiging increase,” DOE-OIMB director Rino Abad has said.,

(When the price hike per barrel reaches USD20, it won’t be anymore. We will still have probably P7 to P10 per liter increase.)

“So far ngayon, ang estimate po natin, may umi-increase na first day of trading ng P5 to P10 per liter ang impact ng first trading pa lang na adjustment nung MOPS price,” he added.

(So far, our estimate is that the impact of the first trading adjustment of the MOPS price will increase by P5 to P10 per liter on the first day of trading.)

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. intends to certify as urgent new proposed measures that will give him the authority to reduce excise tax on oil  products, according to Malacañang on Wednesday. —AOL, GMA Integrated News