As it pursues projects towards its “great transformation” into the Philippines’ first “techglomerate,” Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) also has parallel initiatives on the protection of the environment.
One of AEV’s most recent steps involves the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by its subsidiaries.
Aboitiz Infra Capital, through LIMA Land Inc. on Tuesday launched its fleet of EV buses under its transport system, Red Link, in its LIMA Estate in Malvar, Batangas.
Last month, Aboitiz Power Corp. launched its EV fleet transformation program.
Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, LIMA Land Inc. president, told reporters for the initial phase, the company has deployed a fleet of seven electric mini buses which can serve 2,500 people per day.
“This initial phase has been quite successful and we’re being encouraged by the ridership.
We’re already looking at augmenting the number of vehicles,” De Mesa said, adding LIMA Land eyes to deploy three more EVs to address the needs of employees inside the economic zone which now number 66,000.
Passengers of the EVs pay a flat fare of P20 for an unlimited day pass, P300 for a month and P1,000 for one year.
LIMA Land also launched Red Pass which serves as the payment method for the fleet of EVs. The Red Pass will also be a rewards and e-wallet card in the future.
Meanwhile, Aboitiz Power said the company aspires to achieve 40 percent electrification of its four-wheeled vehicles and motorbikes by 2030 and finally transform and electrify 100 percent of its fleet by 2040.
Aboitiz Power said the program supports the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act which mandates industrial and commercial companies to have at least a 5-percent EVs in their of fleet.
The company added the EVs, which were manufactured by Build Your Dreams (BYD), will soon be deployed to three key cities of Aboitiz Power distribution utilities, specifically, Visayan Electric, Davao Light and Cotabato Light.
Anton Perdices, Aboitiz Power distribution utilities chief operating officer, said in a statement the EVs will be deployed in the franchise they serve in Visayas and Mindanao with land areas that are more than six times the size of Metro Manila.
“Electrifying our fleet will help us further reduce carbon emissions, lower operating costs and contribute to cleaner air in the cities where we operate. This way, we are also helping empower the evolution of the cities we serve,” Perdices said.
Aboitiz Power said its EV fleet transformation program also aligns with the growth strategy of adding 3,700 megawatts of renewable energy in its generation portfolio in the next 10 years.Jed Macapagal
