Metro Cebu’s power distribution firm Visayan Electric on Monday announced that it has adopted the electric vehicle system among its service vehicles.
According to Visayan Electric president and chief operating officer Engr. Raul Lucero, the Aboitiz Power distribution company is slowly transitioning the use of zero-emission vehicles as commuting service to their engineers, technicians and repair crew.
He cited that the battery-powered vehicles are cleaner and more efficient compared to fuel-powered vehicles.
“We believe that electric-vehicles provide benefits to the environment, benefit to the economy, and to the overall quality of life. Why? Because these electric vehicles do not produce tailpipe emissions. It reduces air pollution and this is a significant step towards combating climate change and improving the air quality in our cities,” Lucero said.
“They are also very efficient and possibly lower maintenance cost for these vehicles,” he added.
Aboitiz Power in a statement said aside from reduction of emissions, EVs contribute to the company’s bottom line of improved energy efficiency and transportation economics as the cost per kilometer traveled of a unit is at least half compared to internal combustion engine vehicles.
The EVs were imported from China-based BYD Company and the cost per unit ranges from P2-P2.5 million including the battery which cost about P700,000. The battery lifespan is seven years. BYD is said to be the largest electric vehicle manufacturer in the world.
When fully charged, the EVs run about 120 kilometers. It is fast-charging, which allows to reach a full 100 percent charge in less than an hour.
“We aim to achieve 40 percent electrification for our four- wheeled vehicles and motorbikes by 2030 and finally transform and electrify 100 percent of the Aboitiz Power DU fleet by 2040,” said Aboitiz Power Distribution Utilities chief operating officer Anton Perdices.