GenV Campaigns

VENTURE: Eco-Jeepneys

Posted on 11. Mar, 2009 by Charles Tsai in E-Ventures, Environment

Nicole Villarojo, 22, Philippines - The jeepney is one of the primary means of transportation in the Philippines. They are so vast in number and have unfortunately become great contributors to air pollution, health diseases among commuters and climate change.

Some private entities, however, have successfully created innovations for jeepney engines which allow them to run on used cooking oil. Jeepneys which have switched to this type of engine have become more profitable since they are no longer dependent on crude oil and the used cooking oil comes nearly free. The smoke their engines emit are also much cleaner, benefiting both the environment and the people who commute every day.

It takes around 40,000 pesos to convert a regular jeepney engine to one that runs on used cooking oil. This relatively high cost continues to be a barrier for jeepney drivers to switch to these types of engines. Another problem is the lack of sources for the used cooking oil.

My project hopes to build refilling stations for these jeepneys in major jeepney terminals as well as to create sustainable supply chains through partnerships with major restaurants, side-street vendors and school cafeterias.

Extra funding can also be used to subsidize switching costs for jeepney drivers.

Tags: Environment09, oil, Philippines, transportation