Filipino Automotive Pioneer Releases All-New Electric Jeepney

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Last Updated on: 30th June 2025, 12:54 am

Pioneer Philippine vehicle manufacturer Francisco Motor Corporation (FMC) officially the rolled out its electric public utility vehicle (PUV), the Pinoy Transporter. FMC Chairman Elmer Francisco told CleanTechnica in an email that his company introduced the vehicle’s final version after months of prototyping.

Pinoy (meaning Filipino) is an iconic Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV), popular during the early 80s to the late 90s, known for its small footprint but generous payload. Today, Pinoy is the sub-brand of FMC that will handle its new energy vehicles which includes the H-trike, which is a hydrogen powered three-wheeler.

The Pinoy Transporter inherits none of the traits of its grandparent. Not only is it bigger, it is also powered by a battery-electric powertrain designed by FMC and built by engineering partners in China.

This modern rendition of the jeepney aligns with the requirements of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the Philippine Department of Transportation.

According to Francisco, the launch of the Pinoy Transporter marks a pivotal moment for his company.

After the war, his uncle Anastacio established Francisco Motor. The elder Francisco salvaged the hundreds of US Army jeeps scattered in Manila after the war. He repaired and extended the frames and bodies of these junked US Army jeeps, converting these into the colorful and iconic jeepney so popular in the Philippines.

Leveraging its decades of automotive expertise, FMC assembled vehicles for Isuzu in the 1960s. In 1980, it was given the license to assemble and distribute the Mazda B25 pickup and the E25 van (a.k.a the Ford Econovan). It also has assembly and distribution contracts with Hyundai and Fiat. While other jeepney makers continued to use recycled engines and chassis, FMC began building brand new jeepneys — using pressed body parts and chassis as well as new engines from Mazda. It also built the Pinoy and the Anfra (a portmanteau of Anastacio Francisco), a tough and reliable AUV used extensively by telecom providers and school transport operators due to its safety features and construction.

Not The First Time

This is not the first time that FMC made an electric jeepney.

In 1988, the late Philippine Senator Raul Manglapus suggested to then FMC Chairman Jorge Francisco to create both a Filipino car and an electric jeepney. Manglapus and Francisco established the Centennial Philippine Motor Corp. (CPMC) and the Filipino Car Foundation to prototype this electric dream.

The first e-jeep came out in the same year. It was half the size of a normal jeepney. It ran on a bank of primitive lead acid batteries, was heavy, and could only run for short distances. The second version in 1992 was based on the Anfra AUV with an electric motor directly hooked up into the differential. It had a motor controller and a double-pole switch to activate forward and reverse, instead of a transmission. It is also in this year that Elmer became Chief Operating Officer of FMC. The third and most successful prototype, in 2002, had a blue, yellow, and red striped design with a half sun on the side.

This version of the electric jeepney had a US-sourced direct drive, brushless DC motor, and a potentiometer throttle similar to that found in golf carts. It ran on a higher density, marine-grade deep cycle lead acid battery bank and was said to be capable of about 50 kilometers. It also had a simple, but tedious to operate battery swapping set-up.

Commitment To Sustainable Mobility

Chairman Francisco has declared his commitment to sustainable mobility. A physicist by training and entrepreneur by vocation, he said that he got his visionary thinking from his father, Jorge.

In an email reply to several questions from CleanTechnica, he said that his studies on hydrogen fuel cells as well as EV batteries prove that he is able to develop cost effective EVs for public transport.

He also disclosed that Francisco Motor “established a factory in China for our global market while waiting for the very slow process of the Philippine government so that we could start the localization process at our 30-hectare integrated manufacturing facility at our Special Economic Zone in Camarines Norte.”

He added that only after extensive development and compliance processes, the first batches of these electric vehicles are anticipated to steadily hit the roads. His efforts promise to “transform traditional routes with their clean energy, advanced features, and enhanced passenger experience.”

E-Jeepney Is A Rethink

Designed as a contemporary reinterpretation of the classic jeepney, the Pinoy Transporter boasts a robust steel frame and the distinctive panels that are a trademark of FMC. It is built to accommodate the bustling demand of Philippine commutes, offering seating for 18 passengers with ample space for an additional 12 standing, ensuring high capacity per trip.

Francisco highlights that the Pinoy Transporter prioritizes passenger comfort and safety.

It features a fully air-conditioned cabin, an infotainment display with Wi-Fi connectivity, and USB charging ports. Safety is paramount, with a comprehensive 4-channel CCTV system, dash and backing cameras, and a robust build designed to withstand the rigors of daily operation. The vehicle’s battery also boasts an IP67 rating, ensuring water resistance.

Underneath its classic-meets-modern exterior, the Pinoy Transporter is propelled by a full electric drivetrain, eliminating tailpipe emissions and significantly reducing noise pollution. It is equipped with a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery, capable of achieving a 30% to 90% charge in just 30 minutes using a CCS2 fast-charging port. This efficient charging capability is crucial for maintaining continuous service on busy routes.

The Transporter is engineered for full compliance with the strict standards of the PUVMP. It falls under the Class 2 category for modern jeepneys, meeting the requirements for passenger capacity (allowing standing passengers) and overall vehicle dimensions. This adherence to Philippine National Standards ensures the vehicle’s roadworthiness, safety, and suitability for integration into the new consolidated transport routes mandated by the government program. Its Euro 4 equivalent electric powertrain plays a vital role in the government’s push for environmentally sustainable public transport.

Create A Global Automotive Brand

Francisco Motor Chairman Elmer Francisco has expressed the company’s ambition to not only modernize the local fleet but also establish FMC as a global Filipino automotive brand in the new energy vehicle sector.

When asked about his expansion plans and partnerships, he told CleanTechnica that he prefers his company to remain a local, multinational venture as opposed to transnational corporation.

“As a multinational corporation, we carry the Philippine flag wherever we go and most, if not all, parts and components will come from the Philippines.” He also made reference to an agreement he made with Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist Emmanuel Akpakwu to export the Pinoy Transporter and Pinoy H-trike, saying that in the near future FMC is going to export to 13 African countries “whether they are completely built units (CBU) or completely knocked down (CKD) for local assembly in Nigeria.”

On the FMC website, the Pinoy Transporter is quoted at at approximately ₱2,800,000 (~$49,477).