The Cebu Provincial Government is pushing for the expansion of electric vehicles (EVs) for public transportation through a zero-down-payment and low-interest financing program.
Priority Province for Mass EV Rollout
According to Elizar Sabinay Jr. of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), Cebu has been identified as one of the priority provinces for the mass EV rollout in the country. This initiative is supported by a P2-billion fund from SB Corp under the Department of Trade (DTI) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Nearly 30 transport cooperatives have applied after an orientation held at the Capitol.
Program Details
Under the program, each cooperative can acquire up to three EV units with no down payment and an interest rate of 1% to 3% over five years. Payments will only start once the vehicle is operational.
Each electric mini-bus costs P4.5 million, with half shouldered by the manufacturer and the other half loaned by SB Corp.
Cost Efficiency
Provincial Administrator Ace Durano noted that operating an EV is cheaper, costing only P5 per kilometer compared to diesel at P50 per kilometer.
The units can replace or supplement existing franchises of operators. Each mini-bus can carry 35 passengers and is equipped with a mobile app for tracking and advance ticketing.
Target Rollout
The province aims to start the pilot rollout in July and expand it before September, covering routes in Metro Cebu and islands like Camotes and Bantayan as part of Cebu's long-term sustainable transport system.
