Motoring Today Column: Electric Modernization

Oct 26, 2022

Electric Modernization

The government's program to modernize public utility vehicles has always been hampered by the relatively high acquisition cost for new units.

Despite outright subsidies and easy financing terms offered by state-owned financial institutions, the public utility vehicle modernization program didn't meet the numbers targeted by government.

Yes, modern jeepneys are replacing traditional jeepneys in a number of routes nationwide but not enough to rid streets of aging smoke-belching units, making a mockery of another government program aimed at ensuring only roadworthy vehicles are on streets.

Here we're referring to the MVIS or Motor Vehicle Inspection System that seems to go easy on PUVs.

The PUV modernization program needs a boost to encourage a shift to more efficient, sustainable, and environment-friendly units.

Perhaps one booster can be electrification.

Something like what Metro Pacific Investments Corp chairman Manny Pangilinan is supporting.

MPIC has put in money into electronic vehicle startup Biyahe.

Biyahe aims to drive a shift toward the use of electric vehicles in public transport.

In published news reports, Pangilinan said more expensive fuel costs has made it cheaper to operate electric jeepneys compared to traditional units guzzling diesel.

Pangilinan is quoted in an ABS-CBN report as saying that "the capital cost is higher for e-vehicles but the operating cost is much lower."

Pangilinan adds that he hopes Biyahe can start that momentum towards that shift towards more use of electric vehicles in public transport.

The MPIC chairman also said Meralco can help in this shift by establishing a network of charging stations for e-jeepneys.

MPIC holds 10.5 percent shares in Meralco.

The ABS-CBN reports quotes Pangilinan as saying "Meralco should lead the charge in terms of the shift in e-vehicles because they are probably in the best position to provide a network of charging stations in this country as the biggest seller of power in the country."

Electric Summit

A shift towards EVs in public and private transport should be helped along by Republic Act No. 11697, the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA).

During the recentPhilippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS), organizer Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) encouraged the public and private sector to help accelerate the adoption of EVs in the country.

EVAP pinned its hope on the implementing rules and regulations of RA 11697 finally taking effect.

In opening the two-day summit, EVAP president Edmund Araga said "now that the implementing rules and regulations of EVIDA law are set, we count on public and private sectors to work hand-in-hand to make the switch to EVs faster."

Among other things, EVIDA requires corporate and government organizations to have at least five percent of respective motor vehicle pools or fleets to be made up of battery powered units.

The law also provides for the installation of charging stations in parking areas and gasoline stations.

TATA'S Back

Tata Motors has been quiet on the local front for a long time.

But it's now back in the news with the launch of theTata Intra V10 through authorized local distributor, Pilipinas Autogroup Inc.

Tata is looking to compete in the passenger and cargo van market with the Intra V10.

During the launch, Anurag Mehrotra, vice president for International Business & Strategy, Commercial Vehicles Business of Tata Motors , said: "Tata Motors is committed to having a strong commercial vehicle presence in Philippines and will continue to deliver superior value proposition by introducing holistic mobility solutions."

Tata Motors says the Intra V10 is ideal for multiple cargo and passenger movement applications that include aluminum container van, mobile kitchen, stake van and patrol van.

Isuzu's Special Guest

No less than former President Rodrigo Duterte led special guests during the inauguration of the bigger and better Isuzu Davao.

Along with Senator Bong Go, Davao Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr. of Davao City, and IPC president Noboru Murakami and Isuzu Davao president Jockson Liu, the former President cut the ribbon to ceremonially open the new and improved Isuzu Davao, now adopting the Isuzu Outlet Standard (IOS) dealership design concept.

Said IPC President Noboru Murakami: " With the booming economy of Davao City, it is suitable that we elevate their experience with this new IOS dealership, which not only provides a more conducive atmosphere, but operational efficiency from sales to aftersales, so that ultimately, we can achieve 'Customer Success'."

Isuzu Davao has undergone more than just a facelift.

It now has a floor area of 5,100 square meters which creates more space for the showroom and service area.

The showroom can now display three light-commercial vehicles and one truck, while the service center now has six service bays for trucks and 30 for LCVs.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments & inquiries:

(email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com

(website) www.motoringtoday.ph

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ray Butch Gamboa graduated from the College of Arts and Letters of the University of Sto. Tomas. It was a course that should have been preparatory to a law degree, but the call of broadcasting aborted his plans.

At the age of 16, while still a student, Butch tried his hand at disc jockeying, landing a job at Mareco Broadcasting Network’s AM stations DZBM and DZLM. From there, Butch moved on with his illustrious career as a popular disc jockey, riding the airwaves of Bob Stewart’s middle-of-the-road music at DZXX, and ending his disc jockeying career at ABS-CBN’s DZYL and DZQL.

From there, he stayed on with ABS-CBN, covering live the proceedings at the Manila Stock Exchange and eventually entered into the world of television sales as an account manager for the premier channel of ABS-CBN Channel 2.

In the early 70’s, at the outbreak of Martial Law, Butch was one of the thousands of professionals who woke up jobless when then President Marcos declared the new status of the nation. With the closure of ABS-CBN, Butch ventured into different fields outside of broadcast. He tried his hand and with ease and success at export (Costume jewelry), real estate (brokerage), and restaurants (fast food).

In 1987, after the revolution, with the broadcast industry back to its free state, and with its irresistible call ringing in his ears, Butch made his inevitable comeback and pioneered in a local motoring show, producing Motoring Today on Channel 4 and co-hosting with local motor sports’ living legend Pocholo Ramirez.

After 4 years, he ventured into another pioneering format by producing and hosting Business & Leisure, which was originally aired on ABS-CBN’s Channel 2. The format eventually espoused similar ones in other different channels. But the clones in due course faded away leaving the original staying on airing on Channel 4 and eventually on Shop TV on Sky Cable’s Channel 13.

The following year, the pioneering spirit in Butch spurred him to produce another TV show, Race Weekend, also on Channel 4, covering circuit racing at the Subic International Raceway after the motor sport’s hiatus of 17 years. But when similar shows with duplicated formats sprouted, he decided to give way and ended the program after a year, although still enjoying unparalleled viewership.

In 1998, when the local automotive industry was in a slump, Butch contributed his share to help the ailing industry by producing another popular motoring-related show, this time exclusive to the automobile and its industry—Auto Focus, which became a vehicle for local automotive assemblers and importers to showcase their products and dwell on the industry’s latest technological developments.

In 2003, Butch teamed up with his brother, Rey Gamboa who was a former Shell executive and presently one Philippine Star’s business columnist to co-produce and co-host the TV show Breaking Barriers on Channel 13. It is a talk show that features guests who are in the news and in the middle of controversies. The program ventures to draw deeper insights into current issues to learn how they impact to our daily lives.

Today, Motoring Today on its 28th year of service to the general motoring public still enjoys its unprecedented loyal vierwership nationwide while Auto Focus, after 16 years has firmly established its niche viewership among automobile enthusiasts and on the other hand Business & Leisure is on its 24th year dishing out current business issues and lifestyle features.

Today, aside from writing weekly columns for the Philippine Star (Motoring Today on Wednesdays and Business & Leisure on Saturdays) and executive producer / host of weekly TV shows (Motoring Today, airs Sundays on Solar Sports Channel 70, Business & Leisure, airs Tuesdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13 and Auto Focus airs Thursdays on Shop TV, Sky Cable Channel 13, Ray Butch Gamboa is currently the Chairman and CEO of Sunshine Television Production and Marketing Services Corp., President of Gamcor Management and Development Corp., Chairman of Asia-Pacific Realty Corporation, President and Chairman of Socio-Communication Foundation for Asia and Founding Chairman of the Society of Phil. Motoring Journalists (SPMJ)