CAGAYAN DE ORO — A South Korean firm is set to deliver 50 electric vehicles for the Mindanao Daily Express Transport Cooperative (MINDEX)  to ply 11 routes in this city, a transport group announced on Monday.

Dante Suradia said e-Future Motors PH Inc., a South Korean firm that engages in the manufacture of e-jeepneys, was a first in Cagayan de Oro (CdO) seen to showcase the emerging of e-vehicles as best alternative for public transport. The company is   headed by its CEO Shin Bongyun signed the memorandum.

 He said LTFRB Region 10 Regional Director Abosamen H. Matuan lauded the effort of MINDEX as the first transport cooperative to use e-vehicles in support of the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

E-jeepneys are becoming popular mode of the public transport modernization program of the government.

“The units will be used to ply within Cagayan de Oro City in 11 routes as approved under the local pubic transport route plan. They are Cugman, Bayabas, Bonbon, Iponan, Zayas, Indahag, Pier, Iponan, Lapasan Gusa and Tablon” Sudaria said.

He said operators can really save on cost by using e-jeep. At the same time, it is environment-friendly. Compared to internal combustion engines, all-electric motors feature fewer moving parts which equate to less routine maintenance costs. These motors do not require starters, fuel pumps and exhaust systems so drivers don’t have to worry about these components wearing out over time,” Shin said.

“As more electric vehicles hum past here in CDO, it is easy to imagine that we are winning the fight against climate change,” Sudaria said.

The delivery of the 50 units is expected to complete in the next few months.

e-Future Motors PH Inc. maintains two sprawling facilities in Bacolod City and Cavite.