Victory Liner has begun testing the newest addition to its fleet: 2 new electric buses. In a pretty bold claim, the bus liner said that this marks the first time that any such electrified public utility buses are being deployed in the country by them, or by any other company, for that matter. While this may not (nor should it be) the meat of this new “venture” (and article), we have to admit that this is pretty groundbreaking. Here’s what Victory Liner had to say.
2 electric buses begin powering Victory Line towards electrified commuting
Photo: Victory Liner
What you see here are some photos of the 2 new electric buses that serve as the newest addition to the fleet of Victory Liner’s buses. According to reports, the bus line coughed up PHP 5,000,000 for each of the new buses, with the charger costing an additional PHP 500,000. The buses from Higer (brand) were purchased at a “special price” and will have no differences compared to the current diesel-powered variants of the same bus brand. Passengers can expect a much quieter ride, though, we’d like to imagine.
Photo: Victory Liner
The top brass of Victory Liner seems to have a strong reason for buying the 2 new electric buses.
“Pumupunta rin tayo sa ibang bansa [We go to other countries] to look at bus shows, conferences, and they’re also discussing EV (electric vehicles). Tapos here we come, third world country, Philippines. (They ask) ‘what’s your bus?’ Then you answer, we’re diesel. ‘Really, do you not have electric?’ Syempre, ikaw pride mo rin bilang Pilipino na hindi kami pahuhuli [Of course your pride as a Filipino won’t allow us to be left behind],” said Victory Liner President and General Manager Marivic H. Del Pilar.
On the electric buses’ benefits and features, Higer Philippines representative Elison Tan had this to say: “It’s powered by electric motor and direct-driven na siya so we’ll not be emitting any carbon dioxide. Ma-cut down natin [We’ll cut down] at least 100 tons of carbon dioxide (emissions) per year for just one unit. Mayroon din itong [It also has a] regenerating brake system so every time na mag-slowdown, katulad sa traffic [it slows down, like in traffic], it will be charging also.”
Photo: Victory Liner
So where can we see these, and where do these new electric buses take their passengers? Within this week, both buses will travel to and from Cubao to San Fernando, Pampanga. Given their batteries’ capacity, they can complete 2 round trips at a time before they need to be charged again. For now, the tests will only cover a short distance given the lack of charging stations between both points.
The price? Victory Liner’s Del Pilar said that it would only cost PHP 141. They mean to keep this standard, and Victory Liner‘s head honcho went so far as to say that in the future, it may even go down.
In a manner of speaking, this is not the first time that electrified buses are being used. While not of this size, the QC Government also recently began using 8 new electric buses for the QCity Bus Line. But again, this is not about who’s first or whatnot. This is all about public transportation beginning its shift to a cleaner and more sustainable means of commuting.
And that is what matters. Now let’s hope that other bus lines as well as more LGUs follow suit.
