Filipino Automotive Pioneer Releases All-New Electrical Jeepney

Pioneer Philippine automobile producer Francisco Motors Company (FMC) formally the rolled out its electrical public utility automobile (PUV), the Pinoy Transporter. FMC Chairman Elmer Francisco advised CleanTechnica in an electronic mail that his firm launched the automobile’s ultimate model after months of prototyping.

Pinoy (which means Filipino) is an iconic Asian Utility Car (AUV), widespread through the early 80s to the late 90s, identified for its small footprint however beneficiant payload. In the present day, Pinoy is the sub-brand of FMC that can deal with its new power automobiles which incorporates the H-trike, which is a hydrogen powered three-wheeler.

The Pinoy Transporter inherits not one of the traits of its grandparent. Not solely is it larger, it is usually powered by a battery-electric powertrain designed by FMC and constructed by engineering companions in China.

This contemporary rendition of the jeepney aligns with the necessities of the Public Utility Car Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the Philippine Division of Transportation.

In line with Francisco, the launch of the Pinoy Transporter marks a pivotal second for his firm.

After the conflict, his grandfather Antonio established Francisco Motors. The elder Francisco salvaged the tons of of US Military jeeps scattered in Manila after the conflict. He repaired and prolonged the frames and our bodies of those junked US Military jeeps, changing these into the colourful and iconic jeepney so widespread within the Philippines.

Leveraging its a long time of automotive experience, FMC assembled automobiles for Hyundai and Mazda. In 1980, it was given the license to assemble and distribute the Mazda B25 pickup and Ford Econovan. It additionally moved into the creating model new jeepneys — utilizing pressed physique components and chassis in addition to new engines from Mazda. It additionally constructed the Pinoy and the Anfra (a portmanteau of Antonio Francisco), a troublesome and dependable AUV used extensively by telecom suppliers and college transport operators resulting from its security options and development.

Not The First Time

This isn’t the primary time that FMC made an electrical jeepney.

In 1998, the late Philippine Senator Raul Manglapus instructed to then FMC Chairman Antonio Francisco to create each a Filipino automobile and an electrical jeepney. Manglapus and Francisco established the Centennial Philippine Motor Corp. (CPMC) and the Filipino Automobile Basis to prototype this electrical dream.

The primary e-jeep got here out in 2000. It was half the scale of a standard jeepney. It ran on a financial institution of primitive lead acid batteries, was heavy, and will solely run for brief distances. The second model in 2001 was based mostly on the Anfra AUV with an electrical motor instantly connected into the differential. It had a motor controller and a double-pole swap to activate ahead and reverse, as an alternative of a transmission. The third and most profitable prototype, in 2002, had a blue, yellow, and crimson striped design with a half solar on the aspect.

This model of the electrical jeepney had a US-sourced direct drive, brushless DC motor, and a crude potentiometer throttle just like that present in golf carts. It ran on the next density, marine-grade deep cycle lead acid battery financial institution and was mentioned to be able to about 50 kilometers. It additionally had an advanced battery swapping set-up.

Dedication To Sustainable Mobility

Chairman Francisco has declared his dedication to sustainable mobility. An engineer by coaching and entrepreneur by vocation, he mentioned that he received his visionary considering from his grandfather.

In an electronic mail reply to a number of questions from CleanTechnica, he mentioned that his research on hydrogen gasoline cells in addition to EV batteries show that he’s in a position to develop price efficient EVs for public transport.

He additionally disclosed that Francisco Motors “established a manufacturing unit in China for our world market whereas ready for the very gradual means of the Philippine authorities in order that we might begin the localization course of at our 30-hectare built-in manufacturing facility at our Particular Financial Zone in Camarines Norte.”

He added that solely after intensive growth and compliance processes, the primary batches of those electrical automobiles are anticipated to steadily hit the roads. His efforts promise to “rework conventional routes with their clear power, superior options, and enhanced passenger expertise.”

E-Jeepney Is A Rethink

Designed as a recent reinterpretation of the basic jeepney, the Pinoy Transporter boasts a sturdy metal body and the distinctive panels which might be a trademark of FMC. It’s constructed to accommodate the bustling demand of Philippine commutes, providing seating for 18 passengers with ample house for an extra 12 standing, making certain excessive capability per journey.

Francisco highlights that the Pinoy Transporter prioritizes passenger consolation and security.

It encompasses a absolutely air-conditioned cabin, an infotainment show with Wi-Fi connectivity, and USB charging ports. Security is paramount, with a complete 4-channel CCTV system, sprint and backing cameras, and a sturdy construct designed to face up to the pains of every day operation. The automobile’s battery additionally boasts an IP67 ranking, making certain water resistance.

Beneath its classic-meets-modern exterior, the Pinoy Transporter is propelled by a full electrical drivetrain, eliminating tailpipe emissions and considerably lowering noise air pollution. It’s outfitted with a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery, able to reaching a 30% to 90% cost in simply half-hour utilizing a CCS2 fast-charging port. This environment friendly charging functionality is essential for sustaining steady service on busy routes.

The Transporter is engineered for full compliance with the strict requirements of the PUVMP. It falls below the Class 2 class for contemporary jeepneys, assembly the necessities for passenger capability (permitting standing passengers) and general automobile dimensions. This adherence to Philippine Nationwide Requirements ensures the automobile’s roadworthiness, security, and suitability for integration into the brand new consolidated transport routes mandated by the federal government program. Its Euro 4 equal electrical powertrain performs a significant function within the authorities’s push for environmentally sustainable public transport.

Create A International Automotive Model

Francisco Motors Chairman Elmer Francisco has expressed the corporate’s ambition to not solely modernize the native fleet but additionally set up FMC as a worldwide Filipino automotive model within the new power automobile sector.

When requested about his enlargement plans and partnerships, he advised CleanTechnica that he prefers his firm to stay a neighborhood, multinational enterprise versus transnational company.

“As a multinational company, we stock the Philippine flag wherever we go and most, if not all, components and parts will come from the Philippines.” He additionally made reference to an settlement he made with Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist Emmanuel Akpakwu to export the Pinoy Transporter and Pinoy H-trike, saying that within the close to future FMC goes to export to 13 African nations “whether or not they’re utterly constructed models (CBU) or utterly knocked down (CKD) for native meeting in Nigeria.”

On the FMC web site, the Pinoy Transporter is quoted at at roughly ₱2,800,000 (~$49,477).