By Aries B. Espinosa
IN a landmark event that could possibly jump-start the industry for electric-powered vehicles into the mainstream in this part of the world, a multi-sector gathering discussed the realities and prospects of producing, running, and maintaining full-electric and hybrid vehicles in Southeast Asia.
On June 29-30, the 1st Asean Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Summit was held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Co-presented by the Board of Investments, the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc., the Department of Trade and Industry, and Manila Electric Company, the two-day summit gathered over 600 local and foreign delegates, and attracted hundreds of visitors.
The summit serves as the jump-off point for alternative fuel vehicle advocates and allied industries to formulate definite action plans and platforms in their bid to create a positive long-term impact for society and the environment.
Among the global auto manufacturers that exhibited their electric and hybrid vehicles at the event were Toyota (Prius plug-in hybrid), Lexus (300h), Mitsubishi (Outlander PHEV and i-Miev), and Nissan (Leaf and Note e-Power).
On June 30, Nissan Philippines, Inc. held a round table regarding Nissan’s push for the EV and hybrid market in the region.
Yutaka Sanada, regional SVP of Nissan Asia and Oceania, presented an overview of Nissan Motor Corp.’s research and advances in EV technology.
“In order to highlight Nissan’s EVs, the customer aspect is very important. And that is our key message: Our customers are central to the issues of global warming, urbanization, air pollution, renewable energy, and the decision to choose between vehicles powered by ICEs [internal combustion engines] and EVs,” Mr. Sanada stressed.
He revealed key data necessitating the sea change in favor of mainstream EV and hybrid production and sales:
• The global transport sector’s share of CO2 emissions (the driver of climate change) has gone up to 23%, or up by 71%, since 1990;
• CO2 emissions of ICEs have not only come from their operation, but also from their production and maintenance; CO2 emissions from EVs only come from where their power has been sourced (i.e. electricity generated from coal-fired power plants);
• Among all existing types of engines (ICEs, hybrid EVs, and EVs), EVs come closest to meeting the new vehicle “well-to-wheel” CO2 emissions reduction target set forth by the COP21, or the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change — signed by 196 countries — by year 2020.
• Electricity generation via wind and solar power are becoming more affordable and competitive;
• Rapid urbanization in Southeast Asian countries are resulting in more traffic-congested cities, which in turn increase air pollution levels in these areas. This is forcing governments to implement stricter emissions laws for ICEs;
• Stricter emissions regulations will drive the costs of ICE drivetrains up, while production costs of BEVs (battery electric vehicles) will go down. Independent agencies forecast a “cost crossover,” wherein BEVs will become more affordable than ICEs, by the mid-2020s, and;
• Under the Nissan Intelligent Mobility philosophy, the automaker’s EV cars have resulted in “zero emissions and zero fatalities,” its units logging “over three billion kilometers without any critical incidents.”
At the summit’s exhibit area, Nissan displayed the world’s best-selling EV, the Leaf, short for “Leading Environmentally friendly Affordable Family car,” and the Note e-Power hatchback, which dislodged the Toyota Prius as Japan’s best-selling car in January.
Nissan, which boasts of being the leader in the global EV market with total sales of 263,000 units (and under its alliance with Renault, 350,000 EVs have been sold since the introduction of the Leaf in late 2010), has yet to reveal definite plans for the sale and distribution of its Leaf and Note e-Power in the Southeast Asian and Philippine markets.
Mitsubishi donates eco cars to DENR
MITSUBISHI Motors Corp. (MMC) at the ASEAN Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Summit turned over five Mitsubishi i-MiEV hatchbacks and five Outlander PHEV SUVs to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). MMC said the donation is part of its efforts in promoting clean energy and environmental protection. The vehicles will be used by DENR personnel stationed at the agency’s central office in Quezon City, and regional offices in Cebu and Davao. Besides the vehicles, MMC will also install quick battery charging systems at some DENR offices, and has committed to establish in the Philippines within five years mangrove and bamboo plantations covering 100 hectares.
Three of world’s leading alternative-fuel vehicle makers — Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi — displayed models at the ASEAN electric and hybrid car summit.
Nissan officials Ramesh Narasimhan (left) and Yutaka Sanada discuss the brand’s strategy for electric vehicles, which at present count the Leaf (2nd photo) and Note e-Power (3rd photo). — ARIES B. ESPINOSA
Toyota shows off its new Prius PHV.
