E-trikes coming to Manila

Starting next month, electric tricycles will be plying the streets of Binondo and Malate as part of the Manila City government’s campaign to “combat air pollution and improve the livelihood of tricycle drivers and ‘colorum’ pedicab drivers.”

“No, we won’t be taking their source of income. In fact, we will be giving them a better alternative—these battery-run tricycles which are cheaper and easier to maintain, and of course, their earnings will definitely increase,” Mayor Joseph Estrada said. The program will have a soft launching on Oct. 15.

In a recent statement, the city government said it has procured an “initial fleet” of 384 e-trikes worth over P145 million. These vehicles run on “gel-type batteries” that can be charged fully after only four to five hours. Each one can carry a maximum of seven passengers and runs up to 45 kilometers per hour.

Dennis Alcoreza, chief of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, said that around 50 tricycle drivers in Malate and Binondo would be the initial recipients of the program under an affordable “boundary-hulog” scheme.

Each beneficiary will pay only P150 to 200 a day for four years to own the battery-powered tricycles.