E-Jeepney Autorickshaw EVs Reduce Pollution

Flamboyant Jeepneys are a major means of public transportation in the Philippines. In India, it’s the three-wheel autorickshaw. They get millions of people from point A to B at minimum cost, but they’re also a major source of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Now, efforts are underway to clean up both Jeepneys and autorickshaws as well as making them more energy efficient.

Originally built from surplus World War II Jeeps modified to carry many more people and wildly decorated, Jeepneys are still being manufactured by both backyard builders and companies like Hayag Motorworks. No two from either source are exactly alike. Besides their artistic paint jobs and plenty of bright chrome, many feature color TVs and air-conditioning.

Battery powered, clean, and quiet E-Jeepneys are now being tested in Makati City, the nation's financial hub. E-Jeepneys are part of a project led by GRIPP (Green Renewable Independent Power Producer) with support from Greenpeace International and the government of Makati City. Electricity for recharging batteries is produced using biodegradable waste from the city's food establishments and markets. Two E-Jeepneys are now being tested with the initial fleet to be increased to 50 units.

In India, Bajaj Auto Ltd. is now producing its autorickshaw models powered by a direct injection engine made by Orbital Corporation Ltd. in Australia. A fleet of test vehicles was successfully tested in the city of Pune. The two-stroke, direct injection (DI) three-wheeler has greatly improved fuel efficiency and also brought superior performance and convenient features like self-start. The new model will initially be released into the local Pune market with a staged release of the DI vehicles to other cities in India. According to Bajaj, initial customers have enjoyed 30% fuel economy and experienced significantly improved driving characteristics. Eventually, versions running on compressed natural gas and propane will be offered.

Orbital’s OCP (Orbital Combustion Process) is available in several clean running two-stroke European and Asian motorcycles and motor scooters, Mercury and Tohatsu outboard motors, and Bombardier Ski-Doos.