Less R&D cost, EVs to become affordable

SUSTEX 2026 showcased science and technology innovations that promote sustainability, clean energy, disaster resilience and smart mobility.

THE c-trike (left) and e-trike of DoST-supported ElectroMobility Research and Development Center are now available for mass production by interested investors. PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF DOST, EMRDC

Just days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an executive order offering P60 billion in fiscal incentives to investors that will manufacture electric vehicles and EV components, prototypes of an e-trike and c-trike models from the ElectroMobility Research and Development Center (EMRDC) of Cagayan State University were exhibited at the Sustainability Expo 2026 (SUSTEX 2026) at the SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig City on 5 August 2026.

EMRDC staff said both EVs are now available to investors for mass production.

Anyone with a tricycle can have it converted by EMRDC to a c-trike (converted electric tricycle) for around P120,000.

The 7-seater e-trike cost P600,000 to build but Department of Science and Technology (DoST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the price tag can still be lowered.

“The reason why it is pricey is because of the R&D expense. But once it is commercially produced, R&D expense will be removed and only the cost of material and labor will be the expense,” Solidum said.

“Once we scale up mechanization that will hasten production, it will cost lower as man-hours would be reduced, thereby reducing labor cost,” he added.

Aside from the e-trike and c-trike, SUSTEX 2026 also showcased science and technology innovations that promote sustainability, clean energy, disaster resilience and smart mobility from DoST’s research and development institutes and partner higher education institutions.

EMRDC also offers battery swapping that allows an operator of a compatible EV to quickly replace depleted batteries instead of recharging it.

The booth of e-Mobility R&D Group of the University of the Philippines Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute in Diliman, Quezon City featured an electric passenger ferry. A prototype, the converted Pasig River ferry of the Metro Manila Development Authority, currently provides free sailing for commuters.

e-Mobility also converts conventional passenger bus to electric, makes electric tourist tram like the e-Tranvia of the Intramuros Administration, and builds solar EV charging stations for fleet operators.

CHRG EV Technologies Inc. offers CharM or DC fast charger in tandem with CHRG Box for e-trikes and e-jeepneys. CharM delivers a full charge in under 60 minutes while monitoring voltage and temperature for safe and efficient operation.

Other innovations at SUSTEX 2026 were a portable waste-to-energy system that converts municipal solid waste and agricultural biomass into clean and reliable electricity; a smart monitoring system that delivers real-time, hyperlocalized weather, environmental, and watershed data through low-maintenance sensor networks for disaster preparedness and risk reduction decision-making; and upcycling plastic waste into sustainable roofing tiles and other building products.

The expo is a collaboration of SM Prime, DoST and ARISE Philippines to advance science-based, innovative and inclusive solutions for a greener, more resilient future.

Solidum said that through the expo, DoST is advancing bayanihan innovation.

“The Department of Science and Technology envisions innovation as a partnership that transforms scientific knowledge into solutions that improve lives,” he said.