Australian Firm To Give 1,300 Units Of Solar-Powered Jeepneys, 5,000 E-Tricycles For Free This Year

An Australian firm is offering an alternative and modern mode of transportation. The offer is in line with the government’s public utility jeepney modernization plan.

These solar powered jeep and e-tricycles work through the energy coming from a solar panel.

The vehicles also have batteries that can be charged through electricity and with fully-charged batteries, these vehicles can run for up to 120 kilometers.

“These continue to charge especially during day time when you’re stuck in traffic. It will not consume energy, instead, it will just charge the battery,” said Star-8 Green Tech Corp. Managing Director Ronald Laurel.

A solar-powered jeep can accommodate 20 to 25 passengers while an e-tricycle has a passenger-capacity of six.

Compared to a normal jeep, these solar-powered ones have two air-conditioners and small electric fans for passengers.

Passengers can also charge their gadgets in the vehicle and watch TV. And since it uses electricity, it can help lessen air pollution in Metro Manila.

“Looking at all the jeepneys it’s a beautiful tradition but lots of pollution. As you know in China, 2 million people every year are dying because of pollution, and we don’t want to happen that here,” said Star-8 Green Tech Corp President and CEO Jacob Maimon.

Each solar-powered jeep is worth Php1.3 to Php1.6 million pesos while an e-tricycle is Php420,000.

Its creator Star-8 said they can provide the vehicles for free to jeepney and tricycle operators with legitimate franchises.

“We can give it for free to transport groups with existing franchise as long as they form themselves into a cooperative and then they have to manage the business at make it run 365 days in a year,” said Managing Director Laurel.

The company also targets to distribute 5,000 units of e-tricycles this year.

Source: UNTV