POWER distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has expanded its green mobility program (GMP) by deploying 69 electric vehicles (EVs) on Tuesday as part of its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The newly launched batch of EVs will cater to the transportation needs of Meralco’s business centers and sector offices.
The batch consisted of cars, vans, pickup trucks, and motorcycles. These will serve business centers in Metro Manila and some neighboring provinces.
All of the company’s service vehicles in the metro are now electric. Before the new batch, nearly 60 EVs are used by Meralco’s field personnel.
“Through the GMP, we express our full support to the Philippines’ transition to electric transportation,” Meralco President and CEO Ray C. Espinosa said in a speech during the launch.
He said as the company looks forward to the government’s enactment of a law governing electric vehicles, which will provide incentives to both EV suppliers and users, “we welcome a greener, cleaner, and safer environment in our streets and thoroughfares.”
In September, lawmakers approved House Bill 10213 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, which will require government offices and businesses that maintain and operate 20 or more motor vehicles to have 10% of their fleets consist of EVs.
Meralco is targeting to shift 100% of its vehicle fleet to electric.
eSakay, Inc., a Meralco subsidiary, offers end-to-end EV and charging infrastructure solutions to institutional customers and to the riding public to support the program.
Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT, Inc.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — M.C. Lucenio
