News

Province of Bataan and GGGI Joining Forces to Introduce Electric Public Utility Vehicles

20 May 2021, Bataan, Philippines

The Provincial Government of Bataan (PGB) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) held on Monday a virtual kick-off consultation on a new partnership project to mainstream electric vehicles (EVs) into the public transportation sector in the province.

Building on earlier successful collaborations, PGB invited GGGI to assess the feasibility of deploying EVs as part of the province’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

While it is challenging, we see a huge opportunity in integrating renewable energy into the PUV modernization project. This project will hit several goals – serving the commuters with smart and efficient public transport system and cleaning the environment,” said Bataan Governor Albert Garcia.

GGGI will conduct a pre-feasibility study on converting traditional PUVs into EVs, with a component of a solar-powered charging station and smart transport management system.

GGGI Country Representative Juhern Kim said “Bataan’s plans to integrate EV into public transport is aligned with the global movement toward Net-Zero. GGGI supports Bataan’s leadership towards the successful delivery of this project, which will surely have a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, and improving the service levels in the public transportation sector.”

The PUVMP is a comprehensive reform initiative by the Government of the Philippines to put in place an environmentally sustainable, efficient, and organized public transportation sector. While the program is being implemented throughout the country, most modern PUV fleets are still powered by diesel-based engines. Meanwhile, the Comprehensive Roadmap on Electric Vehicles by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) targets 21% EV of the total vehicle population by 2030 and 50% by 2040, with an emphasis on public transportation.

GGGI is proud of its long-term partnership with the Bataan province. In 2019 PGB and GGGI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on green growth cooperation, supporting the vision of a “Carbon Neutral Bataan by 2025.” Meanwhile, PGB, GGGI, and Athena Energy Holdings signed in February 2021 a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding on mutual cooperation for the development of a 50MW Solar PV Plant in the Municipality of Mariveles.

E-Bus Charging Station

Conceptual photo of an e-bus charging station

Virtual Meeting Group Photo with Bataan Governor Garcia and Team

Bataan Governor Albert Garcia and GGGI Philippines Country Representative Juhern Kim lead the discussions on the assessment of integrating electric vehicles in the Bataan public transportation sector.

E-Tricyles

Note: GGGI has a track record of a demonstration project that provided 100 units of e-trikes in two municipalities in the Province of Palawan, Philippines in 2019, with the Asian Development Bank and the Department of Energy. For more information please check out:
1) https://gggi.org/brookes-point-palawan-tested-out-electric-tricycle-climate-resilient-green-growth-is-now-in-action/
2) https://gggi.org/electric-trikes-in-san-vicente-bring-ecotown-to-life/