ILOILO City – Staying true to its mission of bringing more to the lives of the Ilonggos, MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power) has brought to Iloilo City the metro’s first electric bus or e-bus.
The sole power distributor here teamed up with supplier Global Electric Transport or GET Philippines for the e-bus in the hope of giving Ilonggos an alternative means of transport.
Powered by a lithium-ion battery charged with electricity, the e-bus does not harm the environment because it has no smoke emission. It also does not contribute to noise pollution.
“Part ito ng sustainable objectives ng MORE Power,” said MORE Power president and chief executive officer Roel Castro.
Iloilo aims to be sustainable city.
“Since we are in the electric distribution business, we thought of bringing this e-bus in,” said Castro.
Mayor Jerry Treñas tried the bus for himself.
“Thrilled to ride the eco-friendly e-bus of MORE Power. Let’s all do our part in reducing our carbon footprint and switch to sustainable transportation options,” said Treñas.
Fully air-conditioned, the e-bus could carry up to 20 passengers.
When fully charged, it could go as far as 100 kilometers.
MORE Power plans to partner with transport cooperatives in Iloilo City so they may consider adapting this type of public transportation unit.
“Eventually, we want this promoted and that the transport coops will really get into this. Part of our corporate social responsibility is to introduce important sustainable initiatives here,” said Castro.
MORE Power plans to bring at least 10 units of e-bus to Iloilo City this year.
Aside from public transport, the e-bus could also serve as a shuttle service for employees working in the business process outsourcing companies in Iloilo City.
This type of electric vehicle is already operating in major provinces and cities such as Taguig, Davao, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Pampanga, and Batangas./PN
