Electric Tricycles

Electric trike ride Puerto Princesa Palawan

2014-07-28T02:27:00.002-07:00

I took this a couple of years ago and it's still going strong. The eT4 electric taxi trike Dave Dewbre, EVC (Electric Vehicle Consultant) developed and had built completely in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. We now use this etrike as a school "bus" to take our daughter to school in along with 7 of her school mates.

C Magazine Exclusive Feature in May 2013 Issue

2013-05-07T20:45:00.001-07:00

Pick up May 2013 Issue of C! Magazine
the automotive authority

Dave Dewbre's (Electric vehicle consultant) electric tricycle project is the Exclusive feature. It's showcasing Mayor Edward Hagedorn's pioneering etrike projects for clean air since 2006 and how Dave took Hagedorn's lead and developed 6 different prototypes for different terrains and load capacity.

Dave talks about the issues involved in today's manufacturing issues such as the lack of post sales service.

Pick up May issue of C! Magazine, the automotive authority to read the rest of the story! There are 4 more pages of story and photos.

Check C! Magazine on Facebook

Check out Dave Dewbre's electric motorcycle store. (They do not ship to the Philippines because of excessive customs charges)

DOE unveils eTrike Prototype

2012-10-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

From: http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/business/business-news/14358-doe-unveils-etrike-prototype

DOE unveils ETrike prototype
The new electric tricycle prototype

The Department of Energy and the Asian Development Bank recently unveiled for public inspection the mock-up prototype of the electric tricycle for the much-awaited $500 Million ETrike Project.

Among the first to view the prototype were members of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines, led by its president Rommel Juan.

“Our next initiative will be to schedule a technical meeting with the DOE to discuss further the design, safety and functional elements of the ETrike. We also want to discuss with them our inputs on manufacturing concerns, mass production, localization efforts as well as clearing up the payment flow for the project. We would like to maintain open communication lines with the DOE and we are happy that they have been very receptive to the concerns of the would-be end users, suppliers, assemblers and other players in the ETrike industry,” Juan said.

Read full article: http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/business/business-news/14358-doe-unveils-etrike-prototype

Electric Tricycles Philippnes- Good idea - bad roll outs

2012-09-21T17:09:00.001-07:00

This is one of two articles I have found recently about the down side of e-trikes in the Philippines being rolled out.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/32497/another-bright-idea-we-cannot-afford

To quote the article:
By Sabrina Gacad, Walden Bello
INQUIRER.net

"There is no disputing the fact that vehicles running on alternative energy are good for the environment. Today, there is universal recognition that coal and fossil fuels are the main contributors to global warming and climate change, and their fluctuating prices cause economic instability, leaving peoples in the developing world vulnerable to the periodic shocks of the market. It is not surprising therefore that alternative energy takes centerstage in issues of sustainable development, and that people expect regional development banks like the ADB to support alternative energy projects.'

However, the program design and the loan package are riddled with problems and loopholes that defeat the the objective of promoting and developing the alternative energy vehicles industry in the Philippines. It also leaves the project highly vulnerable to large-scale corruption."

The electric tricycles that have already been rolled out are rife with problems. Most don't function properly, from bad motors to controllers, to important instruments that don't work at all. The safety features such as blinkers, wind shield wipers, battery charge indicators and such, are are reportedly not working in about 30 of the vehicles across the country. After sales service seems to be sorely lacking according to those that have purchased the units.

Here is another article, this one on the opinion of Greenpeace:
http://business.inquirer.net/66919/greenpeace-unimpressed-by-e-tricycle-project

New Puerto Princesa electric tricycles

2012-09-02T23:20:00.000-07:00

Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines - Sept. 3, 2012

Six new electric tricycles have arrived in for a test.

I can't say anything about them, only show you the photos since I haven't had a chance to ride in them yet.

The only comment I have is that I read in several news articles that the batteries were to be lithium, and these are not.

eTrike from the rear.

Puerto Princesa Electric tricycle side.

My issue with the electric vehicle going to market now, is the lack of after sales service. Seems like I am not the only one. Read this article - http://www.forum-adb.org/inner.php?sec=4&id=247&b=1

Also, they have solar panels, which won't actually charge all those batteries in this etrike, but it will help when they are parked for long periods of time.

Several private parties have contacted Dave Dewbre, EV consultant with many issues of the newly released electric trikes other than the one's pictured here. I can't help but wonder why they keep going to him and not the original manufacturers, except they aren't getting any help from them.

Here's a government issued press release.

President Aquino introduced to eTrike Consultants

2011-02-16T18:33:00.000-08:00

Feb 9, 2011

Mayor Edward Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa City Palawan, Philippines, took the opportunity of President Aquino's visit to the PPC Underground River to introduce us as his Electric Trike consultants. PNoy voiced his total approval of all the EV projects going on in the Philippines right now, as a step in the right direction for our country's air and for the planet in General!

Dave Dewbre has the first hand experience with most of the makes and models of etrikes being bought in the Philippines. He does hands on training for interested parties in Puerto Princesa, Palawan and is now trouble shooting the electric trikes that have already been purchased and having major issues.

L to R: Dave Dewbre, Diana J. Limjoco, Mayor Edward Hagedorn, President Benigno Aquino III in Sabang, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Update: We have since moved our research and development to our property in Luzviminda.

Electric vehicle Toddler

2010-12-30T19:55:00.000-08:00

Alysha Ariela in her new electric car. That's my ET3 eTrike in back of her which she is used to riding in with me when we go out and about town doing our errands togehter.

Our daughter Alysha Ariela has been driven around in one form of electric vehicle or another since infancy. It was a natural request to us when, at 3 years old, she asked Santa for an electric car of her very own. You can't start early enough teaching a child to love our planet and do things in life that will help our mother earth.

Alysha in my ET3 e-Trike at GT Eco Center, Puerto Princesa
Palawan, Philipines. We, I believe are the FIRST all electric
vehicle family in the Philippines as far as them being our every day
vehicle. It looks like she's thinking, "I can't wait till I'm big enough
to drive mommy's trike!

Click any photo to enlarge.

Alysha in her electric car next to mom and pop's e-Trikes at GT Eco Center

Alysha was learning how to drive her eCar in the test lot with me leading in my own ET3 eTrike. She went round in circles perfectly with me and when she saw the ramp we drive the eVehicles up to the GT Eco Center showroon everyday, she went right up with no reservations what-so-ever.

Filmed with my GoPro Hero action Cam

If you click this link to the movie on youtube, there is actually music. I am not sure why it won't play the music when you embed the movie in a blog.

Delivering Food baskets in my eT3 eTrike

2010-12-21T23:58:00.000-08:00

Ok it's not technically a sleigh, but I felt like Mrs. Santa Klaus delivering food baskets to the underprivileged and others that deserve it.

Getting ready at Green Tech Eco Center, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, to deliver Christmas baskets of food to those underpriviledged and also some friends from Oplan Linis under Mrs. Ellen Hagedorn, the First Lady of PPC. These folks make the thousands of handmade decorations for the giant Christmas tree display at the Baywalk every year.

I delivered 3 baskets of food to the Oplan Linis crew administered by Mrs. Ellen Hagedorn, first Lady of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. Her crew make the buntings for festivals and they make the decoratons for the massive Christmas Tree that is erected every year at the Baywalk.

ET3 eTrikes - various about town and Eco Center photos

2010-11-25T22:26:00.000-08:00

My personal eTrike gussied up for Christmas Season 2010.

At work at Green Tech Eco Center, Dave Dewbre is far right. Our ace mechanic to my left in back of my Et3. GTE is the only dedicated all electric Service Center in the Nation! An electric service station is so much cleaner than gas counterparts. No oils dripping all over floor! Dave and I are the onky two individuals in the entire nation, that I know of, that drive eTrikes as their daily personal means of transportation. I've been able to save minimun 16,000. PhP monthly by driving this unit.

At Kinabuch Restaurant and Bar on Rizal Ave. downtown Puerto Princesa. The eTrikes always cause a stir and tourists like to have photos of themselves in it. We really don't mind since we want people to get familiar with eVehicles.

Et3s at Kinabuch Restaurant and Bar earlier at dusk.

Diana J. Limjoco with electric trikes at Baywalk Jan. 2, 2010

Annual Christmas tree in Puerto Princesa, it's quite huge as you can see from the comparison to our etrike.

View from inside my eTrike at Baywalk, Puerto Princesa.

Dave uses his GPS receiver to make his way around town. The streets are not labled properly yet.

Our electric trikes at home and Dave's 5000 watt electric motorcycle.

Mayor Edward Hagedorn dropped by Green Tech Eco Center to talk about the new et4 and check out the et3 again. Jan.2, 2010

ET4 eTrike for Puerto Princesa Intl Airport

2010-10-28T21:09:00.000-07:00

The new prototype for the local airport is almost ready! All assembled in Puerto Princesa with local talent and labor, and Dave Dewbre, electric vehicle consultant at the helm. This is all part of Mayor Edward Hagedorn's Clean Air Project. He's been working on several models with various groups since 2005.

ET4- etrike prototype -Doors are removable as shown in next photo

Virtual Electric Trike ride to Honda Bay

2010-10-26T02:19:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine lent me his GoPro action cam which has a very wide angle. I filmed this of me driving my ET3 electric trike prototype to Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa using the camera mounted at the back of the electric tricycle. It's part of one of the day tours and it's where you load up into a motorized pump boat which then takes you around to all the islands.

This was edited by my friend Toné Mcguire, whose camera it was, (he was lucky to get it back), and he also dubbed in his own sountrack. My ET3 trike does have it's own set of DWG waterproof motorcycle speakers which really roar, but I didn't have his music loaded onto my iPod that day.

We have developed a prototype electric tricycle called the ET4 for the Puerto Princesa International Airport with the backing of ecology minded Mayor of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Edward Hagedorn.

This video can also be viewed at:
http://siskiyoutv.com/Watch/Virtual-Etrike-Ride-To-Honda-Bay

CNN comes to Green Tech Eco Center

2010-10-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

Oct. 15, 2010 CNN reporter Dean Irvine, came to our Green Tech Eco Center to interview us about the electric tricycle/livelihood project we are working on in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Dean took a drive in my ET3 and said the hardest thing to get used to was that there was NO sound what-so-ever. He's a motorcycle enthusiast and apparently zips around Hong Kong in one... I can understand his need to want to hear the muffler! I told him that our desire to preserve our environment was greater than our need for audio gratification!!

Dave Dewbre-EV consultant, Diana J. Limjoco (GTE President) with CNN
reporter Dean Irvine.

Dean is a motorcycle enthusiasts so Dave gave him the low down on the
electric motorbikes at GTE

E-trikes the Bigger Picture

2010-10-12T01:50:00.000-07:00

An e-Jeepney by PHUV, Inc.
at our Green Tech Eco Center

We are doing a study into making electric tricycles in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, sp it's good news that many government and private businesses, are looking to replace the gas guzzling, smoke belching versions.

What bothers me is that I hear of 30 of them available for cities, but I'm not reading about what happens after all the media hoopla and the cities are stuck with electric trikes no one knows how to service or maintain. Who is going to service all the units in all those cities? (Click here to read 280 Mil USD made availabley by ADB) It isn't that they break down a lot. Many of the problems come from the drivers not really knowing how to operate them properly. In fact, my etrike has never let me down yet.

When we opened up our Green Tech Eco Center, which services most of the City's electric vehicles and serves as a showroom for the electric motorbikes we sell, I have watched the units come back to us with more problems compounded by the units having been brought to un-trained gas service centers before being brought to us. I can only guess at the reasons.

ET3 electric prototypes

Our project is not just about converting the gas trikes to keep our air clean, our advocacy is to create new jobs that go with making the e-trikes. We are working with local trade schools and PSU to create programs that will benefit the new industry and the local workers. When eventually the units converted here in Puerto are put on the roads, we would be overwhelmed with service calls, just to fix operator errors if we don't start training people as we go.

The Philippines still does not have all the components for the main electrical systems, essentially, the heart of the units, the assembly is still a very large part of this manufacturing process.

The future of the e-trike conversion depends on the units being properly serviced and maintained. I have watched others in the industry deal with this problem. We have even had our partner PHUV, Inc., contacted by a competitor for service related issues. That company has at least 200 units on the market and not enough skilled labor to keep them up and running simultaneously.

Dave Dewbre, electric vehicle
consultant, explaining to
Mayor Ed Hagedorn the difference
between closed cell and regular
batteries.

I think the schools in every city receiving the new e-trikes should be brought in to train the local mechanics to service and maintain the sustainability. They can provide OJT's initially to help offset the cost of their training and lessen the cost to the business making the newer units there.

Welders are needed, fiberglass body makers, as well as certified electrical mechanics. The manufacturer of the electric motor we use, is willing to send his technicians to train others on the proper assembly of the components as well as maintenance. Eventually local private entrepreneurs can open up service centers and offer aftermarket accessories as well.

Dave Dewbre is offering his extensive experience to help get the program started, so everyone will win. We want to see this new industry up and burgeoning everywhere.

Dave Dewbre in ET3 during the
Love Affair w Nature event. Feb. 2010

I am very grateful to be a woman in this etrike business and to be able to enjoy my unit daily. I have first hand experience in driving as well as maintaining my ET3, and I have a spouse who knows these things front and backwards, plus he has an assistant he has trained whose skills are impeccable.

I have a dream, and that dream is to keep enjoying the clean air of Puerto Princesa, and having had a small hand in directing the population to a new green industry that will create more jobs that make a happy healthy community. To see this technology and job creation in other cities would even be better.

Related photos and articles:
ADB offers $280-million loan to boost RP's clean air program

Tricycles Go Electric - Malaya Online

Puerto Princesa to Field 40 Electric Tricycles as Taxi Fleet - Manila Bulletin

Mayor Edward Hagedorn Global Solidarity Movement website:
http://www.gsm-hagedorn.com/2010/04/mayor-hagedorn-is-pioneer-in-use-of.html

Pros and Cons of Electric trike conversions

2010-10-06T15:01:00.000-07:00

With the advent of 280 Million USD being made available by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to convert gasoline powered tricycles to electric, there's been a scramble for Philippine cities to convert the gas tricycles to electric. Here are my own personal notes as an etrike user.

Dave and I have been driving an electric tricycle as our main means of transportation since February 2010. We have been in research and development with them since then as well. There is no way I would go back to all gasoline vehicle after enjoying the e-Vehilces if we could make them go longer distances.

ET3 35 kilometers from home 1 way.
Click to enlarge.

The prototype we use daily is called ET3 (electric trike 3). It has a 3000 watt motor. It can seat three people in the back easily. Hills are also no problem for this unit. The tallest hill we have to climb is called Bakers Hill. I'd say it's approximately a 45 degree incline. My ET3 has no problems going up it, even with three people in the back.

Aside from the noiseless and emmission free ride, what I love most is that I have been able to save at least 3500. PHP per week in gasoline. This is what it used to cost to drive our Expedition the comparable miles or kilometers we drive in our daily lives.

The ET3 goes approximately 100 kilometers in distance. Generally I use it all day doing errands in town. ET3 It has deep cycle, closed cell batteries, they prefer being charged before being totally drained. So if I have a short run to town, say a round trip of about 10 kilometers, I charge it when I get home, then unplug it if we go to town again for dinner. When we get home from dinner, I plug it in overnight and then it's ready to go again the next day.

ET3 in Mangingisda, Puerto Princesa. Click to enlarge

The cost to charge the 3KW unit is approximately 30.00 Php per day. We charge two units every night or during the day in between runs, and frankly, I can't really see the difference in our electric bill.

At the showroom we charge 4 units for the city, and two other 3000 watt units. One of the city's Ejeepney's has a 7000 watt motor. We run an air conditioner all day when at the office and the bill there runs about 3500. PHP per month. Charging all of them is less than the cost of a week of running to the farm in our Expedition.

We put the 1500 watt electric motorbikes on a dedicated meter and the cost of running them is about 13.50 PHP for 60 kilometers. Keep in mind, the costs will vary from city to city. Puerto Princesa's electricity, I believe, is one of the highest in the country.

I think one of the biggest hurdles is the up front cost. People somehow have it in their minds that an electric vehicle should be cheaper than a gasoline run one. This is simply not possible yet.

Two ET3's and 1 electric motorbike.
Click to enlarge.

But basically here is a simplistic calculation to go by. If you spend 10,000. PhP per month in gasoline, at the end of a year you will have spent 120,000. PhP. Now that's a lot of dough in gasoline!

To charge an electric tricycle is approximately 800.00 PhP per month, at the end of the year you will have spent 9600.00 PHP. Now I'm no mathematical genius, but I believe that is a savings of 110,400.00 PHP per year put back into your pocket at the end of the year.

This disadvantage of an etrike is that you cannot overload them like you can a gasoline engine. The electric motors are not as forgiving. Plus most units do not exceed 100 kms in distance. We watched one motor burn up last February (not our brand) when it was pushed over it's limit on an extremely steep hill.

ET3 is sexy at night

Overloading the units with too many passengers also causea the distance to dwindle. Driving the units too fast or "goosing" them like a gas motor, will cause the batteries to discharge faster as well.

In most Philippine cities they have what they call boundaries or routes. My suggestion is to replace the gas trikes with electric ones and set the boundaries a little below the limits of the units. You just know these trike drivers are going to push the envelope.

Mayor Edward Hagedoron ET3

The other very important factor in conversion to electric trikes would be an extensive training period that should be required before the drivers take possession of the units. The drivers need to be taught the many variables in passsengers loads etc.

We have eletric motorcycles out in town and when they bring them in for repair, its almost always operator error. And worse, they have tried to fix them on their own, compounding the problem.

It's not just a matter of converting gas trikes. It's not that easy. It's also a matter of re-educating the drivers. Without doing this, I am afraid the conversion will be more problematic in the long run. And this, is a monumental task on it's own, given that most drivers have not even gone to high school.

Once so many hundreds are rolled out across the nation, there is the problem of parts and service. We intend to train people as we build so they will develop the skills to weld, build the fiberglass bodies, install and repair the motors etc. We will be working with the local technical institutions who are providing OJT's (On Job Trainees). At the end of this training they will be able to branch off on their own or we will hire them for the next batch of trikes and so on.

With the help of Micro Financing, they should be able to open up their own repair shops and provide any after market accessories each trike driver, I am sure will want to add on later. This would be a good template for the other cities or entrepreneurs to follow. Without proper training in the serivice area, the plan to replace all the gas trikes will create more problems down the road for the end user. I speak from my own experience.

As part of our public education, Dave and I do take the ET3's to the Baywalk on week end evenings when we can. We have loaded them up with 11 to 12 children and we take them up and down the length of the Baywalk. I can feel the burden on the units, but they still perform well. However, when driving home, the battery guage is inevitably much lower than had I just run to town on my own.

Dave with 11 children on ET3

The electric Trike for the Puerto Princesa International Airport will have a 5000 Watt motor and will handle about 5 to 6 passengers comfortably, plus luggage and is currently being assembled in Puerto Princesa. It should be unveiled by the end of November. It is part of our vision to create a new clean e trike industry for the city and to create about 4 to 5 new job positions to sustain it with the cooperation of the local techincal schools providing OJT's ( on job trainees) which we will be able to hire once the 40 e-trikes go into production.

Related articles:
ADB offers $280-million loan for e-bikes

DoE Targets Tricycles to Run on Electricity

Electric Tricycles for Puerto Princesa International Airport

2010-09-11T06:40:00.000-07:00

Sept. 11. 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PhUV INC./GTE PRESS RELEASE

First electric tricycles as taxis for Puerto Princesa - the eTraxi

Mayor Edward Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan has recently ordered the first batch of forty (40) electric tricycles (eTrikes) to serve as taxis to and from the Puerto Princesa City International Airport. The eTrikes will be supplied by local assembler Green Tech EcoCenter (GTE) in partnership with PhUV Inc., the business arm of the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Phils. (MVPMAP).

"Since the eTrikes will be locally assembled using a fiberglass body that is also locally made, this project not only helps clean the air in Puerto Princesa but also provides local employment and marginal businesses for local enterprises", says Mayor Hagedorn after inspecting GTE's prototype of the eTrike, the first ever fully assembled in Puerto Princesa.

He explains that his long-term vision is to actually replace all 4,000 gasoline-powered tricycles in Puerto Princesa City with eTrikes as part of his Clean Air Project aimed at preserving the blue skies and fresh air in the city. "Aside from helping protect our environment, this project will also transfer electric tricycle technology to our locals and enhance the skills of our local tinsmiths, welders, auto painters, auto mechanics, auto electricians, upholsterers, trimmers, assemblers and fiberglass makers".

Diana Limjoco, GTE president, says that what GTE will make commercially available is the 4th generation of GTE's eTrike or the ET4. "This will be a full electric vehicle running solely on pure battery power. It will be powered by a 5 kw electric motor that can more than cope with large loads of luggage and six passengers comfortably seated, without straining the motor. This electric motor is of a more advanced technology as it is equipped with an internal cooling fan", she explains. The genius behind the development of the current etrikes is Limjoco hubby, Dave Dewbre who has acted as consultant on the project.

Left to Right: Dave Dewbre, developer of the eTrikes, Mr. Labit, Rebecca Labit-Asst. City Admin.
Diana J. Limjoco, President Green Tech EcoCenter, Mayor Ed Hagedorn, AV Abelson,
Marine biologist hired by PPC to survey the local reefs.

"The development of the eTrike has been fast-tracked as we are fortunate enough to have as our partner PhUV Inc., the assembler of the electric Jeepneys in Manila. They supplied us with some of the parts we needed and technology they themselves have acquired in their three-year experience in locally assembling and servicing eJeepneys. We believe that this partnership will produce an eTrike that will soon be a mini taxi, not only in Puerto Princesa but throughout the Philippines as well", she concludes.

Green Tech EcoCenter has been commissioned by the City of Puerto Princesa to create the first of 50 electric tricycles to service the International Airport.

Mayor Edward Hagedorn is a pioneer in electric trikes. He and a team headed by Mr. Rolly Conception created the first electric tricycle in the Philippines in 2006.

The original ET#1 Trikebayan electric motorcycle conversion- 2008
Left: Rolly Conception far right: Mayor Edward Hagedorn

ET#2 (Electric Tricycle) 2nd generation all electric 3000 KW
motor, attached to an existing sidecare. Still running to date. Joint effort of
Dave Dewbre and Eagle motorcycle team.

ET#3 - 3rd generation 3000 kw prototype full body connected etrike.

This is the ongoing clean air project to continue his and the council's vision to keep air pollution down in Puerto Princesa by eventually converting all of the 4000 gas powered tricycles over time to all electric.

Dave explaining the parts to Mayor Ed Hagedorn and

Assist. City Administrator Rebecca Labit.

This project will create new jobs for the people of Puerto Princesa by training electric mechanics, fiber glass body makers, welders, and trainers.
PHuv makers of the electric Jeepney plying the roads of Makati, and Green Tech EcoCenter have teamed up to create a new hybrid to conform to the needs of the airport trike.

UPDATE AS OF August 2012 - We have moved our research and development of electric vehicles to our sustainable farm in Luzviminda, Puerto Princesa. Instead of manufacturing the etrikes, Dave Dewbre has moved into consulting with etrike makers and end users. He also trains ev techncians in the proper use and maintenance of all electric vehicles with a two day course.

Green Tech EcoCenter Puerto Princesa maintains and services all of the City's electric vehicles. We fuel our staff ebikes with solar power!

Tone Mcguire

2010-09-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

Sept. 5, 2010 at Dad's 91st birthday luncheom.
L to Right: Emma, Diana J. Limjoco, Toné Mcguire, Dave Dewbre
holding Alysha our lil gal who since infancy has been
driven around in electric motorbikes.

My dad, Ramon Arguelles Limjoco, celebrated his 91st birthday on Sept. 2010 and Mayor Hagedorn was his guest of honor. He in turn brought Toné McGuire who flew in from Hawaii to get footage for a National Geographic project.

When he heard about Mayor Hagedorn's EV project, he became interested in the history and our involvement in them. He came out to our Green Tech EcoCenter on the National Highway to check them out, be driven around in and test drive an eTrike first hand.

Dave showing how the 3000 watt eTrike runs.

Toné particularly liked that the 5000 watt electric motorbike had no sound but for the gravel beneath the tires.

Dave has driven this particular eMotorbike model for several years,
only upping the wattage as improvements are made to it.

Interviewing Diana J Limjoco for his new documentary called
"A City in a Forest" all about Puerto Princesa.

US Ambassador checks out Etrikes in Puerto Princesa

2010-08-16T08:14:00.000-07:00

Aug. 16, 2010

After a turn over ceremony of 4 new patrol boats that the US Government donated to Puerto Princesa City, Palawan —US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas was invited to a luncheon to honor him and other officials in attendance. He had the opportunity and we had the honor of him checking out and liking the electric tricycles we are developing for the City.

US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. posing with our electric tricycle at Badjao Seafront Restaurant in Puerto Princesa Palawan.

Helen Limjoco (my mom) with US Ambassador Thomas, to the right of the etrike Diana J. Limjoco and Dave Dewbre, electric vehicle expert and consultant.

Stop Mining Palawan Forest (Philippines) Petition

2010-07-23T15:44:00.000-07:00

Palawan will soon be the Lost frontier if this continues!
Stop Mining Palawan Forest (Philippines) Petition

Electric Trikes on the Farm

2010-06-08T17:03:00.000-07:00

We recently bought a little 2 hectare farm in Barangay Luzviminda. Dave Dewbre hooked up the electric tricycle to the trailer and we brought it with us the other day. The farm is only 31 kilometers away from where we live, well within the range, but the roads are under construction right now so he thought it best to just haul it until the roads are completed.

In Puerto Princesa City the people are used to seeing us drive them around and seeing the other electric vehicles we are testing and researching, but in this little farming and fishing village, they thought we were from outer space!

The farm is right off a brand new cemented road in Barangay Luzviminda. It takes us about 35 minutes to the farm from where we used to in San Jose, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Across the bay is the City of Puerto Princesa. It's overcrowded with streets too narrow for today's traffic! Also very heavily congested with gas tricycles! Stinky and noisy! Hopefully they will create this as a twin city with the right proportions!

The pier at Barangay Mangingisda is about 8 minutes from our semi sustainable farm. It's been hellishly hot lately, so we trek to the pier with the kids to cool off when we go out there. The waters there are so clean. The gas tricycle drivers were so amazed by the electric version of their gas guzzlers!

Cruising in our His and Hers Etrikes

2010-05-29T19:02:00.000-07:00

Me, Diana Limjoco, and our daughter
Alysha in our Et3 electric trike.

When we got the first Electric Trikes in February I was content to be driven around in one. I would drive them around the lot at our Green Tech EcoCenter, but that was as far as I got and Dave Dewbre, electric vehicle specialist and consultant, didn't feel comfortable with me driving around town in it until I was really familiar with it.

I have a broken left wrist and if you hit a bump, the handlebars can get jerked out of your hands easily, so he didn't want me to re-injure it. One day I decided to take it to town when Dave was busy and I haven't let go of it since. I am no longer content with being a passenger! I even confiscated Dave's limited edition eTrike with the cool waterproof bullet speakers hooked up to my iPod! Now I drive everywhere in it. I even pick Alysha up from my mom's about 5 Km alway in it. Alysha has no idea how lucky she is yet to be driven around in an electric vehicle, but hopefully someday she will!

Driving through traffic to the wet market gets a little stinky having to breathe the fumes the traditional gas trikes emit. For the sake of progress and setting a good example, I've leaned in and taken one for the E-team! At sunset, drving in it on the highway away from the traffic, with my music playing, no motor sound to take away from the fidelity! Amazing! Last night driving to town was a dream. Amazing clouds, breeze in my hair, my tunes going! Ahhhhhhhh! Truly a pleasure.

Last night Dave and I went cruising in our His and Hers eTrikes. What a kick. Someone said we looked like "aging" Hell's Angel's riders! Oh well! We are having the time of our lives. We went to Shakey's Pizza Parlor and parked on Rizal Ave, and created quite a stir. Then on to Taverna Luna, a new restaurant not quite open, but we met the owner a couple of nights ago and hit it off, so we stopped in there to say hello! I can't wait till it's open.....good food to be had there to be sure!

Dave and I enjoy taking the children at the Baywalk for free rides in the evenings on the weekends. It exposes them to the idea of electric trikes and alternate energy. They look forward to the free rides when ever we go there.

At the New Market in San José, Puerto Princesa. Today I let Dave drive me around this day since I had to buy so many things at the new market!

From New Market we went to Honda Bay pier where a lady made fresh lamayo for me.

Now I hate to take anything out but the E-trike! I've gotten so much confidence in them. We live about 8 or 9 kms from the only Supermarket, NCCC, I take it there. I take it all over town, and in the evening,

At the airport with a couple of my favorite PPC Tourism Guides.

A jaunt to Honday bay pier and back. At night before we sleep, we plug them in. I haven't been able to find out how much it costs to run in on our electricity bill. The bill seems to be the same, even charging up two eTrikes and Dave's electric motorbike! Gone are my 12K php gasoline bills to run the Expedition.

ET3 at Honda Bay Dock

The ride home

Dave has gotten a dedicated meter, and we will charge the etrikes up on it next time so we hill have an accurate reading as to how much electricity they consume. So far, hands down, I love the maintenance free ease of using these. The ability to just pull over on the narrow roads, unlike trying to part the car! I've discovered a whole new Puerto Princesa in it.

Taken this morning shopping at the Bagsakan or New Public market.

Electric trikes for campaining

2010-03-26T16:14:00.000-07:00

We took the trikes out on the campaign trail for Mayor Edward Hagedorn who is a pioneer in the development of electric tricycles. You cannot be missed in one of these units! Everyone was cheering them on and very proud that their mayor is so innovative and cares for their environment.

Dave Dewbre- electric vehicle specialist and consultant, driving his personal electric trike for Mayor Hagedorn's campaign motorcade.

E-trikes on Our Awesome Planet

2010-03-15T20:42:00.000-07:00

March 15, 2010- Behind the scenes of film shoot for Our Awesome Planet pilot episode at our Green Tech EcoCenter. We haven't been told when it will be shown on TV yet, but will keep you posted.

The host, Anton Diaz and I hit it off as soon as he found out I was a blogger and SEO geek. Turns out he is too...WOW a kindred spirit in geekiness!!! Awesome indeed!

I can't wait to see what else they filmed in Puerto Princesa and other parts of Palawan.

Film crew at work.

Zoom, zoom! Away we went! Dave zoomed us around the Eco Center lot and then onto the National Highway to show Anton Diaz how fast the etrikes could go. He couldn't believe they were really silent...what a joy to ride in.

Our Awesome Planet website at: http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/
Dave website: http://www.danceswithnetworks.com/
Diana website: http://www.djl.net/

Electric Trike in Balayong Parade

2010-03-03T07:47:00.000-08:00

Electric Trike in Balayong Parade in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines -March 3, 2010

Montri Manzano driving the Eagle Etrike in the Balayong Parade March 3, 2010

L to R: Diana Limjoco Mayor Ed Hagedorn rode in our Eagle electric trike for the Parade.

L to R: Montri Manzano, PPC councilman Miguel Cuaderno, Dave Dewbre EVC (electric Vehicle Consultant), and Poch Lauron

Electric Trike at Night

2010-03-02T08:26:00.000-08:00

Wow an orange almost full moon tonight on the way to show the E-trike to some ladies helping the city of Puerto Princesa with the integrated toursim program in town. Nice easy ride with the sexy blue glow of the LED lights Dave Dewbre, electric vehicle specialist and consultant, had installed on the bottom edge and window inside the passenger cabin. Beautiful cool night air. A lovely evening indeed.

I especially loved it when Merle and Celia boarded and Dave took off from their hotel with not even the sound of whooosh. It was the intake and exhale of their own breaths of surprise, delight and awe when the vehicle took off and not a sound was heard but their own gasps of pleasure and glee.

We all felt like Queens driving around with the looks from the bystanders and people we passed in the streets!

It was Dave's idea to add the cool blue lights on the interior and bottom rim of the E-trike. The lights make the vehicle very visible at night. He even found some cool lights that use the wind to generate twinking lights on the front of the E trike to give it even more visibility while running at night, but no drain on the batteries.

Eagle Electric Tricycyle at night.

At the Baywalk downtown, the children enjoy free rides from Dave. They have gotten used to seeing us now and look forward to the rides!

Eagle Electric Tricycles

2010-02-26T18:50:00.000-08:00

Diana Limjoco of Green Tech EcoCenter in Puerto Princesa has made Eagle electric tricyles available as their exclusive distributors and they are testing the bodies and motors. GT EcoCenter is developing a livelihood project along with Cavite Eagle Motorcycles to assemble them in Puerto Princesa, Palawan to create more jobs as well as preserve the fresh air in the city.

Group photo is of Dave Dewbre, Mayor Ed Hagedorn, Diana Limjoco with her mother Helen Limjoco.
Mayor Edward Hagedorn has always been a pioneer in environmental issues. These are the latest electric tricycle prototypes in Puerto Princesa, Palawan developed by Dave Dewbre, electric vehicle specialist and EVC (Electric Vehicle Consultant) and Willy Dela Cruz of Eagle Motorcycles.

Mayor Edward Hagedorn decided to test the Eagle electric tricycle out for himself. As you can see from the photo below he had a great time.

Mayor Edward Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa City, with our eT3 electric tricycle at Baywalk.

Most photos by Volaire Fernandez Domingo of Images Asia Magazine