Wednesday, July 18, 2007 2 transport groups ok with E-jeep, too By Alfredo B. Severino
KNOWN to be coming from different orientations but when it comes to statements regarding electric jeep (E-jeep), United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (Undoc) and the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) are also among those who are in questioning its viability.
E-jeep was recently launched by its project proponents Green Renewable Independent Power Producers (GRIPP) and Greenpeace during President Arroyo’s visit here last July 13 at the University of St. La Salle ground.
This time, Undoc Secretary General Jessie Ortega said, “Upon its presentation to us, we found out that this E-jeep cannot be used for long distance travel. Its electric fuel lasts for only six to seven hours and will take more than an hour to re-charge.”
“E-jeep’s electric power is also dependent on the number of passengers loaded. The heavier the passengers are the more electricity it consumes,” Ortega said.
Ortega also stressed that E-jeep cannot also ascend sloping roads as high as that in Luzuriaga near SM City and cannot travel in rough roads.
It is only useful useful within the city where roads are smooth and leveled.”
“Costing P500,000 per unit is too much for an ordinary operator and driver-lessee in terms of rent payments.
So Undoc members cannot earn anything from E-jeep,” Ortega said.
Meanwhile, MBCCI businessmen represented by the group’s Vice President Frank Carbon and Executive Secretary Jose Maria Zayco, echoed similar sentiments.
“E- jeeps are made in China but surprisingly, it has never been used in China. But E-jeep won’t even last on the lengths of China’s streets,” Zayco said.
“Any businessman will always ask for returns and loans in every investment made. We are not assured of both when it comes to E-jeeps. It need more research and studies for this project,” Zayco added.
Meanwhile, Carbon believes that the E-jeeps’ usefulness can only be defined by using it to hop from one mall to another, or one hotel to another.
It can also be very useful to be used as passengers traveling roads to the Bacolod-Silay Airport, back and forth of it is also useful inside malls, golf clubs or service vehicles inside airports and seaports.
