A transport system using a diverse mix of fuels may ease the impact of oil price hikes, according to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Secretary Fortunato De la Peña said the DOST is pushing for fuel diversified solutions that include electric vehicle technology imported from abroad and locally- manufactured such as the e-trike, e-scooter and e-jeepney as well as mass transport systems Hybrid Electric Train and Hybrid Electric Road Train developed by the agency.
Yhe Hybrid Train is in the possession of the Philippine National Railways while the running prototypes of Hybrid Electric Road Train are now in the possession or are being run in the cities of Cauayan in Isabela and General Santos in South Cotabato.
The Hybrid Electric Road Train that uses diesel fuel and electric batteries was developed by the Metals Industry Research and Development Center.
De la Peña is hopeful that a Hybrid Trimaran will be launched before the end of June. The trimaran uses wave energy that converts power into mechanical energy resulting in reduced fuel consumption.
While the trains are using fuel and batteries, the so-called hybrids also run on electricity and reduce fuel consumption by about 25 percent, De la Peña said.
The e-trike is now being tested at the Cagayan State University in Tuguegarao City by researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Engineering.
To complement the e-vehicles technology, DOST developed the Charging in Minutes or CharM, a rapid charging system that reduces the charging time of utility-grade electric vehicles from hours to just minutes.
DOST wants to place the fast charging stations in strategic areas for the specific routes of electronic vehicles.
“Our goal and plan right now are to find ways to support its enhancement through improved infrastructure and continuous research and development related to the e-vehicles,” De la Peña said.
To reduce fuel consumption, DOST recommends the use of information technology to help monitor and conserve energy.
