THE WORLD is again facing a huge spike in oil prices and shortages of fertilizer and other oil-based commodities that are worsening world hunger and driving thousands more poor people to starvation in Africa as Iran continues to attack shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and block oil tankers.
Twenty percent of the world’s total oil supply and 33 percent of global fertilizers essential for food production passed through the strait daily. Diesel and gasoline prices in the Philippines — and elsewhere — drastically increased this past week by over P10 and P3 per liter, respectively. This is because the United States continues to bomb nonstop Iranian infrastructure and military targets. Alleged war crimes, some say. In retaliation, Iran is attacking US bases in the Middle East.
With oil prices skyrocketing and the current energy crisis becoming more serious, Donald Trump’s administration could lose control of the Senate and House of Representatives in November’s midterm elections. He cannot find a diplomatic way out of the war with Iran, which the US and Israel launched on Feb. 28, and continues to try to bomb Tehran into submission. That is not going to succeed. The 49 years of hatred and loathing the Islamic republic has for the US will carry them to fight to the last man. There will be no surrender.
Countries are moving to expand and harness their renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar power, geothermal and biomass, to produce oil-free electricity. This is the way to secure and stable electric energy supply.
In the Philippines, solar energy has increased, propelled by high electricity rates and fuel price hikes. Roof-top solar panels have nearly doubled over the past year to 1,300 megawatts. But there is still a long way to go.
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the Philippines sources its energy from coal (40.6 percent), renewables (32.9 percent), natural gas (15.8 percent), and oil (10.8 percent). Fossil fuels still produce roughly 75 percent of the country’s electricity.
Transportation in the country is threatened by the war on Iran and high fuel prices. Electric vehicles (EVs) make up only 1 percent of cars on the road, unlike in Norway, where the figure is 90 percent. Here, EVs account for about 17 percent of new car sales. There are too few charging stations right now. Unless electric charging hubs are in every gasoline station and spread along our expressways, EVs will have few customers and generate low sales.
As an occasional driver of a new Wuling EV Starlight van used to bring children to school and elsewhere, this writer could say it is excellent in all respects, other than its weak battery and nonfunctional remote door lock. It cost P1.2 million, thanks to generous donors.
However, the battery charge does not cover the 300 kilometers advertised. Road tests show that the maximum range is only 220 km for every full charge, which leaves Wuling open to complaints of false and misleading advertising, which is a violation of Republic Act (RA) 7394, or the Philippine Consumers Act.
If Wuling company owners are the good people they are said to be, they will consider exchanging the low-performance Wuling EV sold to the Preda Foundation’s children’s home for a better Wuling van (for an addition payment of P200,000 that a donor is offering). This better model will enable us to bring children in our shelters on home visits to the provinces and to testify in court against their abusers. Our legal office is fighting for justice with good prosecutors, and together with the children, we win an average of 20 convictions every year from just and honest judges.
We pray and look forward to receiving this new Wuling EV model, which has an advertised 400-km range. More on this in future columns. EVs are so important for the environment; we need the best. Can Wuling provide it? (To be continued)/PN
