An electric vehicle said to be the latest technology of such kind is currently undergoing mobility test run in the city and if proven capable in negotiating the city’s terrains, will be procured by a transport cooperative for its modernized operations.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said this is a big boost to the city’s efforts to promote and adopt low carbon urban transport solutions towards sustainability and also in support of the country’s Low Carbon Urban Transport Systems (LCT) Project.
Cordillera Basic Sector Transport Cooperative (CBST) chairman Jude Wal said the 25-seater e-vehicle passed the tests for the Trancoville and Aurora Hill routes. It will later be fielded to more difficult routes.
Wal said the tests will be conducted this month in collaboration with the city government to also determine technical issues that may arise for collation and submission to the manufacturer for possible adjustment and correction.
He said the cooperative plans to procure 20 units of the e-vehicles for its “customized modernization.”
Last year, the city received an electric public utility vehicle e-PUV and transport-related equipment as part of the Electric Vehicle Incentive Programme (EVIP) of the LCT Project.
Baguio City was among the four cities in the country that piloted the LCT project implemented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) until November, 2023.
The e-PUV, the first EV to be deployed to navigate the unique terrains of the city, was awarded to the Irisan Jeepney Operators and Drivers’ Association (IJODA) Transport Cooperative. A charging station is being built in the area to operationalize the vehicle.
The city government also received ICT equipment and traffic counters to strengthen its capacity to plan and manage sustainable transportation and traffic management while the Dalan ni Taltallak Consortium of Universities for Low Carbon Transportation Research and Innovation established under the LCT Project and consisting of St. Louis University, University of Baguio, and University of the Cordilleras also received software and equipment for their research and innovation on low carbon transport.
Mayor Magalong said the efforts to tap EV in the city gives the city’s sustainability agenda a big push.
“We are excited to see this technology at work in our city and see their contribution to cutting down carbon emission which for sure will have a good impact on our environment,” the mayor said. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
