Interaksyon.com reports that the Land Transporation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) recently issued the country's first electric public utility jeepney franchise to eJeepney Transport Corporation (EJTC).

The report noted: "In 2007, the eJeepney fleet initially covered two routes, the Salcedo Village Loop and Legaspi Village Loop. A third loop called the Heritage Route has been added and is currently in the test phase.The commercial run starting March 1 covers only the Salcedo and Legaspi Loops."

The project is "an offshoot" of the bigger Climate-Friendly Cities Program of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (iCSC).  A Manila Times article posted on the iCSC website, reveals: "The e-jeepney seats 14 passengers and has a range of 65 kilometers on a full charge. It is manufactured by the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines, which has incorporated a consortium, the PhUV Inc., as its business arm for the e-jeepneys."

Meanwhile, a Philstar.com article explained: "Unlike hybrids or electric concept cars, the eJeepneys use ordinary car batteries for power. And while this is far from the gold standard of electric vehicles (the latest ones use batteries similar to those used on laptops), it is still better than fossil fuels."

For more on this story, log on to Interaksyon.com and Philstar.com. You may also read the Manila Times posted on the iCSC website.