IT SEEMS that breaking point has almost arrived. Scientific research indicates that, by the end of the century, unless we stop all CO2 emitting from fossil fuels right now, the Earth will become hotter, rising to 2.6 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Many nations have failed to reduce burning fossil fuels, the US and Brazil among them. This year alone, there will be a 1-percent increase in fossil fuel emissions into the atmosphere. Without renewable sources, it would be two percent.
In the Philippines, electricity comes from 27 coal plants. Electricity from renewable sources only accounts for about 21 to 22 percent. This comes from geothermal (~8.3 percent to 10 percent), hydropower (~8 percent to 9 percent), solar (~2.2 percent to 3.2 percent), wind (~1.1 percent to 1.2 percent), and biomass (~1.2 percent).
Worldwide, the demand for more electricity is growing by 40 percent, and renewables must grow to meet and surpass that and eventually eliminate the fossil fuel industry. This will take decades to achieve.
The government’s policy of transitioning to a pollution-free electric vehicle (EV) transportation system is a joke. In the Philippines, diesel- and gas-burning vehicles released into the atmosphere approximately 37 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2023. In Metro Manila alone, out of a population of 15 million, 14 percent — 2.1 million people — suffer from respiratory disease as a result of air pollution.
Even with zero tax on imported parts for EVs and incentives from the government and the European Union, there is no low-cost public utility vehicle (PUV) available. They are not affordable.
For example, a diesel-run people-carrier from Foton costs approximately P1.2 million to P1.4 million, including tax, while an electric To-Jo Mandaragit PUV X minibus with the same number of passengers costs P2.7 million, plus a government tax of P324,000 for a whopping total of P3,024,000. This is an impossible cost for any unsubsidized customer.
The government’s Public Transport Modernization Program, instead of promoting low-cost EVs, is supporting the purchase of new “modern” or EU 4 standard diesel vehicles. This is of little help in lowering pollution. The P260,000 subsidy for buying a new diesel vehicle is set to increase to P400,000 this year. A happier diesel auto industry will rejoice.
This government subsidy is only for rich transport fleet cooperatives or corporations. No individual driver, nongovernmental organization, or small business switching to an electric PUV will get any subsidy or discount.
Some transportation tycoons from political families will benefit hugely, but many Filipinos would most probably never be able to buy an EV. The system is rigged to favor the rich and against poor drivers.
The EV transition policy is paper tissue. The traditional vehicle assembly corporations making “modern” diesel vehicles and their associates in government are winning the game and pocketing taxpayers’ money./PN
