AboitizPower targets full switch to electric vehicles by 2040

At the launch of AboitizPower’s EV fleet program.  (From left) Mark Valencia, VP engineering, Davao Light; Jokin Aboitiz, chief strategy officer, AP Data Innovation; Val Saludes, president & COO, APDU Cotabato Light; Anton Perdices, COO, AboitizPower Distribution Utilities; Emmanuel Rubio, CEO AboitizPower;, and Rodger Velasco, EVP & COO Davao Light

MANILA  -Aboitiz Power Corp. aims to deploy around 160 electric vehicles (EVs) by the end of the decade as it jump-starts a fleet transformation program in three major cities.

According to AboitizPower, it will start deploying the fleet to its businesses in the Visayas and Mindanao, particularly for Visayan Electric, Davao Light and Cotabato Light.

“With an ever-growing demand for powered mobility, we recognize that deeper electrification of mobility is a key enabler in achieving a cleaner and more sustainable world energy system,” said Emmanuel Rubio, AboitizPower president and chief executive.

The company launched its EV fleet program on Thursday, saying it aimed to achieve 40-percent vehicle electrification within its businesses by 2030 before exclusively utilizing electric service vehicles by 2040.

AboitizPower chief technology officer Mark Valencia said EVs accounted for only 2 percent of AboitizPower’s fleet at the moment.

AboitizPower’s e-Van -contributed photo

Under Republic Act No. 11697, or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, industrial and commercial companies, government agencies and government-owned and -controlled corporations, are mandated to have a total EV rollout of 5 percent of their total fleet.

The Department of Energy seeks to eventually increase this to 10 percent, citing the need to reduce dependence on imported fuel and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

AboitizPower said its fleet transformation was part of a growth strategy focused mainly on adding 3,700 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy to its generation portfolio in the next 10 years.