MANILA, Philippines — Trainees at the automotive workshop of TESDA in Taguig City, in partnership with an environment foundation, have built the first home-made electric vehicle (EV) from a junk van.

Born out of TESDA’s partnership with the ECOS Environmental Foundation, Inc., the e- van was produced from a non-serviceable Mitsubishi L300 diesel van donated by Radio Television Malacanang (RTVM) a few years back.

The nine-seater e-vehicle was unveiled and blessed on August 22, simultaneous with the start of the week long celebration of the agency’s 17th anniversary.

Soon, the newly-refurbished electric power-driven shuttle van will be a regular sight at the TESDA headquarters as it ferries employees, trainees and guests from one office building to another within the 10-hectare complex .

The e-vehicle considered an eco-friendly transport unit showcases the agency’s response to the campaign for a clean, green future for all. Because it is not using diesel or gasoline, the e-vehicle does not emit carbon monoxide and thus, reducing the elements in the environment that contribute to pollution.

Researches show that fossil fuel such as diesel and gasoline are one of the major causes of pollution through carbon emission.

Besides their environmentally-damaging effects, the cost of fossil fuel continues to rise because of the lack of alternative fuel sources.

“We had planned putting up an integrated training program for automotive mechanics which will also serve as a venue to push our advocacy for a cleaner and safer environment,” says TESDA director general Joel Villanueva.

NEW PROGRAM

TESDA, with assistance from a Japanese expert, will soon organize a training program which will focus on the process of converting diesel engine driven vehicles to battery driven units.

Trainees will be taught how to distinguish an electric from internal combustion engine, identify the major components of an electric vehicle, enumerate the safety considerations in driving an electric vehicle, and manufacture and operate an electric vehicle.

TESDA will share with ECOS Foundation the costs for the purchase of the motors, motor controllers, batteries, chargers, and other parts and materials.

Villanueva announced that TESDA will also formulate training regulations for the assessment and certification of Electric Vehicle Technicians for government agencies, local government units, and other sectors.

Through this training program, TESDA and ECOS Foundation hope to train and certify a good number of EV Technicians who will man Electric Vehicle Shops and Charging Stations in the future.

Both organizations are advocating for the regulation of operations of such shops and stations to only those that employ qualified and certified Electric Vehicle Technicians to ensure the safety of the riding public.

A number of local government units have already taken initiatives to introduce e-vehicles in the country. The e-jeepneys are now operating in Makati City while e-tricycles will soon ply the side streets of Pasig City and Quezon City.

Last year, the Department of Energy expressed its willingness to grant tax perks to manufacturers of electric vehicles or e-vehicles as the country is on the lookout for ways to reduce pollution and mitigate the impact of high oil prices.

The department started its e-vehicle program with the launch of e-tricycles powered with lithium batteries in Mandaluyong City.

With the influx of electric vehicles, technical vocational education programs especially those for automotive mechanics and related programs will become more in-demand.

TESDA will sponsor two e-vehicle appreciation seminars for policy makers and for technical personnel of various government agencies during the week-long TESDA anniversary celebration.

For more information on TESDA programs and services, call 887-7777, send SMS message 09174794370 (Globe) 09182738232 (Smart) or follow us in Facebook (TESDA, Sec Joel Villanueva TESDA) and Twitter (SecJOELngTESDA).