Philippine Model City Deploys Electric Minibuses To Offset Rising Fuel Costs - CleanTechnica

Pasig City in the Philippines has launched five new Chinese-made fully electric minibuses as part of its Libreng Sakay (Free Ride) program to combat rising fuel costs, which have recently surpassed P90 (~$1.50) per liter. The P19.9 million (~$332,300) investment, led by Mayor Vico Sotto, aims to ease the financial burden on commuters by providing affordable, sustainable transportation. Each minibus, costing about P4 million, accommodates 22 seated and 8 standing passengers and will operate along Caruncho Avenue, a key city corridor. This initiative is positioned as a practical move toward sustainable urban mobility rather than a symbolic environmental effort. This deployment is the first phase of a broader plan to expand Pasig’s electric vehicle fleet, with at least 10 more electric minibuses expected by the end of the year, contributing to a regional goal of 500 zero-emission buses across Metro Manila by 2026. Additionally, the Metropolitan Manila