Taiwan firm offers electric tricycle model

Philippine Utility Vehicle Inc. (PhUV), a local electric tricycles (e-trikes) assembly firm said its Taiwan-based partner, TecoElectric & Machinery Co. Ltd., had presented to Asian Development Bank for inspection a locally-assembled e-trike.

Teco’s model, which sports a locally made fiberglass body, was said to “completely match” the bid specifications of the Department of Energy (DOE). The e-trike was assembled by PhuV, said John Marasigan, the local firm’s sales manager.

Marasigan said the company expected good performance from the units it was producing. He said some Filipino e-vehicle (EV) companies in the past had problems because they imported parts from various foreign sources, mostly from China, for assembly even if those parts were not technically compatible.

“The performance suffers, the parts and the EV do not last long and ultimately, the buyer is left with a ‘disposable’ vehicle with no after-sales service in terms of capable technicians and spare parts. With a big foreign partner like Teco behind us, we are confident of the EVs that we produce,” he said.

PhUV said the e-trike presented to ADB was driven around the bank’s compound at full load of five passengers and a driver.

“Prior to this, we had already subjected the e-trike to various performance tests in the hills of Antipolo where it showed its capability to navigate steep grades. Its 3kW, 48-volt motor delivered a top speed of 60 kph,” Marasigan said.

“We have proven that given reliable local suppliers and partners, an e-trike that is fully compliant to international standards can be manufactured and assembled locally,” said George Lien, CEO of Teco’s business development center. Riza T. Olchondra