PMFTC tapping electronic vehicles to reduce carbon footprint

PMFTC shifts to electronic vehicles to reduce carbon footprint

MANILA, Philippines – Expanding on its vision to deliver a smoke-free future, PMFTC Inc., the country’s leading tobacco company, has begun deploying 10 electric vehicles (EVs) for its service fleet in a pilot program that covers the company’s operations in Pasig City, Marikina City and the province of Rizal. 

“Our journey of transformation is naturally linked to our Sustainable Fleet initiative. Just as our ambition is to replace cigarettes with better alternatives as quickly as possible, we have a responsibility to have a net positive impact on society by reducing the environmental impact of our products, operations, and value chain. This is our commitment to become a major part of the Philippines’ shift towards electro-mobility,” said PMFTC President Denis Gorkun. 

Low-carbon transition plan

The EV launch is in line with mother company Philip Morris International’s (PMI) low-carbon transition plan that aims to achieve carbon neutrality of direct operations by 2025 and net-zero emissions of its value-chain by 2040. 

PMFTC is among the first PMI affiliates to shift towards using EVs, and is also the first company in the Philippines to deploy fully electric vehicles for its salesmen. 

EV fleet

PMFTC’s EV fleet will consist of 10 BYD T3 Mini Vans, which are 100% electric logistics vehicles with a range of 250km, with each vehicle having a carrying capacity of up to 700 kilos in load.

The vehicles will be supported by BYD’s NCR-based service center.   

 In minimizing its fleet’s dependence on fossil fuels, EVs are expected to reduce carbon emissions by 84,954 kg per year.

“Reducing consumption to cut greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing fossil fuel use and prioritizing nature-based solutions is us doing our part to make sure our employees, customers, and stakeholders to improve sustainability,” Gorkun added.

PMFTC targets to deploy another 10 EV units before the year ends. 

In addition, the company plans to enhance its telematics technologies to promote eco-driving behaviors and improve safety, efficiency and productivity among its fleet drivers. 

PMFTC: Delivering a smoke-free future

PMFTC Inc. is an agriculture and consumer products company leading change across the Philippine tobacco industry.

A business combination between LT Group Inc. and Philip Morris International (PMI), PMFTC Inc. is an employer of choice; a major leaf buyer and taxpayer, and a partner to law enforcement. 

Around the world, PMI is building a future on a new category of smoke-free products that, while not risk-free, are a much better choice than continued smoking due to the elimination of combustion — the primary cause of smoking-related problems. 

Through multidisciplinary capabilities in science and technology, we aim to ensure that our smoke-free products meet adult consumer preferences and rigorous regulatory requirements. As the market leader, we are committed to offering adult consumers who would otherwise continue to smoke better alternatives and actively making Philippine society smoke-free.

gsg