In what was not viewed to bloom into a business with demand, Davao-based DC Electric Vehicle Group in the Philippines is showing an emerging toss-up between maintaining tradition and adopting technological revolution in the Southern Mindanao city’s transport industry.

Laborers in this city’s Sasa district have been working hard to assemble four-wheel electric vehicle prototypes: a two-seater car and a converted jiffy, both with automatic transmission system. Within the compound of DC Electric Vehicle Corp., six other electric tricycles have been assembled for sale within the next few days. First-time visitors might notice the limited manpower in the assembly line, but “you do not need an army to build the vehicles the way they are designed,” said plant manager Albert N. Ybañez.

“It’s not really complicated. There are only 36 pieces on an electric tricycle and one person can build one [unit] in just eight hours,” he said.

Nobody thought that it would be a business Mr. Ybañez would start up. He has no background in engineering and engine details, but rather a history as a chef.  He is adept at cooking oriental dishes and has worked as a chef overseas for many years.

DC Electric’s push for its project is anchored on the central government’s programs to promote an environment-friendly transport industry. The Biofuels Act has recognized the need to develop alternative mode of transportation, including hybrid cars.

The Alternative Fuel Vehicles Act of 2004 gives incentives to hybrids “to promote the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution, use and development of hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles in furtherance of the objectives of Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act.”

(Source) Business World Online