POWER distribution firm Visayan Electric is joining the global call to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, with the deployment of its first electric vehicle for pilot testing.
On Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, Visayan Electric president and chief operating officer Raul Lucero disclosed that the Aboitiz-led power distribution unit is slowly transitioning to the use of zero-emission vehicles, embracing a more sustainable commuting service for their engineers, technicians and repair crew.
According to Lucero, battery-powered vehicles are cleaner and more efficient compared to fueled-powered vehicles. The firm will test the vehicle for utility operations for a year.
“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,” said Lucero.
“They are also very efficient and possibly lower maintenance cost for these vehicles,” he added.
Aside from the reduction of emissions, EVs also contribute to the company’s bottomline 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, Aboitiz Power said in a statement.
Made in China
The EV, manufactured by China-based BYD Company and pegged between P2-P2.5 million, has a battery lifespan of seven years. BYD is said to be the largest electric vehicle manufacturer in the world.
When fully charged, this EV can run about 120 kilometers. It also has a fast-charging capability, which allows it to reach a full 100 percent charge in less than an hour.
Lucero said they want to test the vehicle’s capabilities and validate the features promised by BYD. They are also particularly interested in assessing EV’s suitability for navigating through rugged upland villages.
Currently, Visayan Electric owns 50 fuel-powered vehicles, excluding crane and boom trucks.
“Next year, we will add another electric vehicle and possibly an electric motorcycle and we will use this in our day-to-day operation,” he said.
Visayan Electric’s EV adoption is part of its fleet transformation program in support of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (Evida) as the firm’s contribution towards greener and cleaner mobility in the country.
Evida mandates industrial and commercial companies to have at least a five percent share of their fleets to comprise electric vehicles.
“As a leader in the energy industry, we want to incorporate innovations that will improve the efficiency and sustainability of our operations. The world is facing developments in climate change, global connectivity, population growth, urbanization, and digitalization, and these changes demand that businesses like ours transform to remain relevant,” said Aboitiz Power president and chief executive officer Manny Rubio.
Rubio noted that transportation is the highest energy-consuming sector in the country, accounting for 31.1 percent of total final energy consumption with over 11 million tons of oil equivalent.
Besides Visayan Electric, units of EVs were also deployed to other Aboitiz’ distribution utilities like Davao Light, and Cotabato Light.
“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 Percides.
The EV fleet transformation program aligns with Aboitiz Power’s growth strategy of adding 3,700 megawatts of renewable energy like solar, wind, and geothermal in its generation portfolio in the next 10 years.