QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — In a significant step towards ecological sustainability, the city government of Valenzuela City has acquired 41 electric vehicles (EVs) for use by the Valenzuela City Police Station and various government offices.
This initiative, part of the city’s “Go Green Valenzuela” program, was unveiled alongside a new EV Charging Station at the ALERT Center in Barangay Malinta over the weekend.
With this deployment, the Public Information Office said Valenzuela becomes the first city in the Philippines to have the largest fleet of electric vehicles for police operations.
Of the total, 35 EVs were assigned to the Valenzuela City Police Station (VCPS), while six will be used by other government offices. This move is expected to enhance public safety while promoting eco-friendly transportation.
The initiative is a collaboration with ACMobility and BYD Philippines, aimed at reducing reliance on traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
Mayor Wes Gatchalian emphasized the economic and environmental benefits, stating that the shift to EVs will lead to significant savings in fuel and maintenance costs, while also reducing the city’s carbon footprint.
“Electric vehicles offer a cleaner alternative. This will also complement our City Ordinance No. 525, Series of 2018, aptly titled the ‘Environment Code of Valenzuela City,’ which serves as a guiding framework for our environmental efforts,” he said.
“By adopting EVs, we set an example for industries, proving that progress and sustainability are not mutually exclusive but, in fact, intertwined, while still providing the same quality service to our constituents,” he added.
The new EVs come equipped with advanced features including a maximum power of 150kW, a battery capacity of 44.9 kWh, and a range of 405 km.
They can charge from 10% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes, making them suitable for police operations.
The city has invested PHP 75.8 million for this fleet with support from Senator Win Gatchalian’s office.
In addition to the vehicles, the Valenzuela EV Charging Station at the ALERT Center marks the first of 13 planned city-owned charging stations, with additional ACMobility stations set to open soon.
This infrastructure is designed to facilitate the transition to electric mobility for both government services and the general public, reinforcing Valenzuela’s commitment to a cleaner, healthier environment for its residents. (JLN/PIA-NCR)
