Motoring Today Column

Jan 18, 2023

There's another hybrid model in town which again highlights the many advantages of owning a vehicle with a powertrain that integrates the benefits of a regular internal combustion engine with a battery powered electric motor.

It's the New Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid , a seven-seater MPV that is perfect for a family looking for an economical, practical, and versatile ride for everyday needs and weekend adventures.

In announcing the launch of the latest model in its lineup, Norihide Takei, Director and General Manager for Suzuki Automobile , said: "The introduction of the New Ertiga Hybrid marks a great beginning for SPH as we introduce our first hybrid entry in the market.

"With the Ertiga being our flagship and best-selling model, incorporating the hybrid technology and other benefits that it has, this makes the product a well- packed choice for our customers."

The first obvious advantage of owning the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid is of course its economical ride.

According to Suzuki, the Ertiga Hybrid can average an impressive 12.54 kilometer per liter in city driving as can attested by the Automotive Association Philippines.

This is 7.6 percent better than the Ertiga with a regular engine, said Suzuki.

The Ertiga Hybrid comes with a 1.5-litre gasoline engine and Suzuki's Integrated

Starter Generator (ISG) that replaces the conventional alternator.

The ISG has the dual function of charging the battery and powering the electric motor that assists the gasoline engine during standing starts and acceleration.

The Ertiga Hybrid powertrain also features an Engine Auto Stop Start System (EASS) that automatically stops the engine when the vehicle is in idle to prevent unnecessary fuel consumption and limit emission of exhaust as well as engine noise.

Beyond fuel economy, there are other advantages to owning a hybrid vehicles these days.

Suzuki points to EVIDA, the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act that is now in place.

Suzuki said under EVIDA's implementing rules and regulations, the Ertiga Hybrid qualifies for such incentives as exemption from numbers coding, a 15 percent discount on vehicle registration , a priority lane on vehicle and franchise registration.

The Ertiga Hybrid, offered in four variants, also makes hybrid technology even more affordable.

The New Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid GA MT with manual transmission retails at just P954,000 while the top of line Ertiga Hybrid GLX AT is priced at only P1.153 million.

LRT Fare Hike Looms

Commuters who depend on light rail transit systems for cheap transport should brace themselves for an increase in fares.

According to news reports, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has approved the proposed fare increases for the LRT-1 and LRT-2, an additional P2.29 boarding fare and 21 centavos for every kilometer.

This means commuters taking the LRT-2 from Roosevelt to Balintawak will have to shell out P20 for a single journey ticket, or have P15 taken from their stored value cards.

On the LRT-1, the new cost for fare from Recto to Legarda will be P15 for single journey tickets and P12 for stored value cards.

The news report quoted LTFRB chairman Teofilo Guadiz III as saying the board agreed with the increases as they had to come with something that will at least break even with the services being rendered.

But he added that the final say on the fare increase will come from Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

The LTFRB chairman's signatures is just one of 10 need for the fare increase to be finalized and implemented.

Grab Questions

Is there anybody actually checking on how much Grab users are paying for their daily rides?

The LTFRB has approved a fare matrix for riding on so-called Transportation Network Vehicle P35 for hatchbacks, P45 for sedans, and P55 for AUVs/SUVs.

The LTFRB also approved what are called surge fees during peak demand hours that should not be more than double the regular fare.

However commuters who regularly book TNVS rides through Grab Philippines have no way of checking whether the fares they are being charged comply with the LTFRB fare matrix and guidelines.

To be fair, the LTFRB has reportedly asked Grab to explain complaints that it was charging a minimum fare of P85 for short trips even during non-peak hours.

The LTFRB has also Grab to explain how it computes surge fees as well as the P40-charge for "additional stop base fare."

Grab has admitted to a shortage in partner-drivers on its platform.

In a press statement, Grab said: "Pandemic-induced challenges led to some driver-partners losing their loaned cars to repossession or driver-partners moving on to other economic opportunities elsewhere."

Those interested in partnering with Grab should know that it has more than 4,000 slots available for would-be driver-partners.

Happy Motoring!!!

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