Sarao and Tembo’s Electric Jeepney Just Drove From Manila to Bicol and Back
Sarao Motors and Netherlands based Tembo e-LV sent their electric jeepney on a 760 kilometer round trip from Las Piñas to Albay in the Bicol Region. Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and members of the Urban Transport and Mobility Council rode along.
The Road Test
The route covered expressways, provincial roads, steep climbs, winding routes, rough surfaces, and changing traffic conditions. The southern highways toward Albay aren’t easy on a regular car, let alone a jeepney running on a battery.
What the Numbers Show
Sarao published an infographic covering the whole journey, showing where the jeepney stopped to recharge and how much battery remained after certain legs. On the Lucena City to Naga City leg, a 248 kilometer stretch, the jeepney used 46.7kWh and arrived with 43% battery remaining. Based on that number, the jeepney’s battery works out to roughly 88.1kWh, which would put its full range at approximately 468 kilometers, higher than its claimed range of 300 kilometers.
The Price Problem
The Sarao x Tembo electric jeepney carries a suggested retail price of Php 2.8 million, which remains expensive for most PUV operators and transport cooperatives. Even with a government equity subsidy of Php 400,000, the price stays out of reach unless the government makes local electric jeeps more affordable under the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy program. EVIS is set to accommodate four manufacturers, and Francisco Motors and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines have already signified their intention to join.
So the jeepney handled the roads fine. The price tag is a different problem, and it’s the one that decides whether operators actually buy these.
