Electric jeepneys ply Makati Green Route
The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (iCSC) launched recently the country’s first ever fare-free, emission-free Makati Green Route powered by electric jeepneys or eJeepneys.
In partnership with Makati City and the Stichting Doen Foundation, the iCSC deployed ten new Philippine-made eJeepneys which will offer free eJeepney rides beginning November 10 in Salcedo Village and Legaspi Village, starting and ending in Landmark. The city government is planning the expansion of its Green Route in the EDSA-Estrella-Rockwell district and other vicinities.
Blessed on the same day was the country’s first ever eJeepney charging station located at the Makati Fire Station at the Ayala avenue extension where launching activities were held.
"We are making the climate solutions of tomorrow available to Filipinos today," said Red Constantino, director of the iCSC. "Bold action is needed during this period when we are beset by the financial and climate crisis. We commend the leadership of Makati City for showing to the country and the world what Filipinos are capable of," said Constantino.
According to the iCSC, climate change-inducing carbon dioxide emissions are expected to triple in Asia in the next 20 years coming mainly from the transport sector. Sustainable transport and clean energy utilization - key facets of iCSC’s programs - are considered key measures that can help mitigate global warming as well as build more climate-resilient communities.
The project is expected to dramatically reduce noise and air pollution as the eJeepney does not emit noise or harmful exhaust emissions. Studies have shown that every liter of diesel avoided results in a reduction of 3,140 grams of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) and 16 grams of NOx (Nitrous Oxide) released to the atmosphere.
At excessive levels, the emissions contribute to climate change, which has recently been blamed for the extreme typhoons and floods that have devastated the country.
Since it has a dwell time of only 10 seconds per stop, eJeepney-powered Makati Green Route will also reduce traffic jams.
The iCSC’s eJeepney project has garnered worldwide praise, receiving recently the top award in Discovery Channel’s Ecopolis program as the "single most important new transportation technology with the best chance to save cities (from pollution)". US-based Dr. Daniel Kammen, a senior member of the Nobel-prize winning IPCC, delivered a message earlier this week, saying he "could not have been more pleased to learn of the eJeepney story.
The eJeepney puts into practice a sustainable transportation solution that dramatically cuts carbon emissions and improves local air quality. It does more than meet a technical challenge.
The eJeepney is brilliant because it also gets people out of individual vehicles and into shared, community transportation solutions".
The iCSC unveiled in the launch the "Sakay Series" eJeepneys designed by award-winning artist Toym Imao in honor of the little-known Filipino hero Macario Sakay.
The Philippine-made eJeepneys are manufactured by iCSC’s partner, the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP) in cooperation with the National Center for Transportation Studies of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Philbio, the British Embassy, Oxfam Great Britain, Greenpeace Southeast Asia and the Foundation for Philippine Environment.
The iCSC is also working with the city government of Puerto Princesa City, which is close to completing the iCSC’s full climate-friendly cities program loop, Southeast Asia’s first.
The iCSC runs sustainable energy programs and provides expert policy advice concerning renewable energy and alternative transport for communities and cities.