These jeeps, which were derived from American World War II jeeps, are iconic symbols of the Philippines’ ingenuity.
They are the most popular way of transport which is a problem because there are 250,000 diesel powered jeeps in the country, spewing pollution into air and creating something known as the nebulizer where babies are born with asthma and allergies.
University of Philippines reports that these jeeps are the #1 air pollutants. Drivers of these jeeps are the #1 victims of pulmonary tuberculosis.
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At first these electric vehicles were laughed at because they only ran on a battery and the drivers of the electric jeeps were giving free rides, a very noble and very new concept.
Yuri Sarminto is the CEO of Ejeepney Transport Corp. which began a project in 2007 where 20 electric jeeps took to the road.
They received permission this year from the government to charge passengers which will demonstrate that these jeeps are good for both the environment and businesses.
Their goal is to achieve sustainable transport systems and change the way things are thought about and done.
They have joined forces with a Dutch company, working towards charging the jeeps with renewable electricity such as solar energy from food outlets that then power generators which charge the motors.
The business model of this project also changes the way in which drivers are paid.
Drivers are on a fixed salary with complete government benefits, health care, and housing benefits.
Sarminto is trying to modernize public transportation even further.
He hopes to establish an electronic fair payment system which would take a largely underground industry and bring it under government control.
This project and business model are now being copied all over the Philippines and Sarminto says change has allowed individuals to look at problems in different ways and to change the way do business.
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Video courtesy of Global Post
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