Manila Water acquires electric vehicles to reduce GHG emission

Joining Manila Water’s fleet are two BYD (Build Your Dream) Dolphin hatchbacks and two DongFeng EV Rich 6 pickup trucks.

Four electric vehicles (EVs) are now joining Manila Water’s fleet. Acquiring EVs is part of the company’s big push toward its Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) and sustainability goals.

Joining Manila Water’s fleet are two BYD (Build Your Dream) Dolphin hatchbacks and two DongFeng EV Rich 6 pickup trucks. Manila Water’s pilot EV fleet was delivered in July 2023 by Movem Electric, Inc., a subsidiary of Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) that focuses on developing electric transport solutions.

The EVs have portable chargers that can be plugged into any conventional power outlet. The company will also install fast charging stations in the EVs’ regular deployment areas, such as the Calawis Water Treatment Plant in Antipolo, the Rizal Service Area Office, Fort Bonifacio Pumping Station, and Manila Water’s Fleet Management Parking at the MWSS Complex in Balara, Quezon City.

Moving forward, the water concessionaire plans to install charging stations at all its treatment plants that tap solar panels, enabling the EVs to run on 100% renewable energy as more e-vehicles are scheduled to be procured in the coming years.

While the company is transitioning to more environmentally friendly modes of transportation, it is also conducting training programs for its fleet drivers on fuel-efficient driving practices.

“Water is extremely dependent on the environment and climate. This is why Manila Water is constantly improving our operations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize our environmental impact. We work diligently to achieve our sustainability goals while providing quality service to our customers,” Director of Corporate Communications Affairs Group Jeric Sevilla said.

In 2022, Manila Water launched Project Net Zero, intending to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and lessen its dependency on fossil fuels as part of its decarbonization roadmap aligned to limit the 1.5°C increase in global temperature.

With this landmark initiative, the company saw an impressive greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction of 16,960 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in 2022. To achieve this, the company ensured at least 20% of its total power purchases from Open Access were sourced from renewable energy.

READ: PH vows to cut gas emissions by 75 percent