QEV Philippines to launch ‘green’ jeepney

A “GREEN” jeepney is set to be unveiled on Thursday, highlighting the viability of converting a regular Sarao internal combustion engine into an electric vehicle.

QEV Philippines, a joint venture between the Philippines’ Endika Aboitiz and Spain’s Enrique Bañuelos, will introduce the zero-carbon emitting and full electricity-run vehicle after months of extensive research and development. The company is the local unit of QEV Capital Pte. Ltd.

Initially, the plan was to bring in QEV’s charging infrastructure with a complimentary market of e-vehicles, the company said in a statement.

“But when QEV’s principal investor first laid eyes on the jeepney, it was love at first sight. In his resolve, he had a Sarao jeepney sent to Spain for extensive research and development, so they can study how it can be converted from an internal combustion engine into electric,” QEV Philippines added.

“After more months of local research, a team of Spanish engineers then flew to the Philippines to start work on the conversion. Today, that jeepney is now a green jeepney, having zero- carbon emissions and running 100% on electricity,” it said.

The green jeepney’s debut will be at the Bonifacio Ballroom, Shangri-La at The Fort, Bonifacio Global City. QEV Capital’s subsidiary QEV Technologies will be partnering with and assisting local jeepney manufacturers in the engine conversions. “Sarao Motors, Inc. will be one of these partners,” QEV said.

It said the charging stations for the e-vehicles would also be made widely available. Asea Brown Boveri ( ABB), which produces universal charging stations, is QEV Philippines technological partner.

“As for the initial network of charging station locations, QEV Philippines is in serious talks with Shell, Ayala, and SM. AboitizPower will provide the supply of renewable energy that will be used to power these charging stations, thus reducing overall carbon footprint,” the company said. —