MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Thursday launched and turned over a locally developed 18-seater electric tranvia to the Intramuros Administration, with free rides being eyed as part of efforts to offer an alternative transport option amid rising fuel costs. The turnover was held at Centro de Turismo in Intramuros. The Intramuros Administration said the e-tranvia would follow fixed stops, with its main station at Plaza Roma and designated stops at key heritage sites across the walled city. “There are specific stations at Plaza Roma, and it will only stop at IA-managed heritage sites such as Fort Santiago, Centro de Turismo, Plaza San Luis Complex, and Baluarte de San Diego,” Intramuros Administration official lawyer Joan Padilla said during an ambush interview. She said details on how the public may avail of the free rides would be announced, as the agency finalized operational guidelines. The planned free ride program is being positioned as a response to the ongoing oil supply disruption, although the agency is also assessing how long it can sustain the service. “We are working on hoping that we can sustain it in response to the ongoing oil crisis, but we also have to be practical that after this, we will rent it out to recover operational expenses,” Padilla said. She said the e-tranvia was not intended to compete with existing transport modes within Intramuros, such as kalesas and pedicabs, but to provide an additional mobility option. “There are many visitors in Intramuros, and different markets prefer different modes of transport… this is another option that we want to give our tourists so they have a choice of mobility,” she said. Padilla said solar-powered charging could help reduce part of the e-tranvia’s operating costs, particularly for energy. “The operational cost will be reduced, at least the operational cost for energy. But of course, this has manpower, and it has maintenance that we still need to address. So, one way or another, there should still be a charge for what is called OPEX, or operational expenses,” she said. She also disclosed that additional units were planned, pending the release of government funds. “There was already an appropriated budget last year, 2025, for the procurement of electric tranvia units, but it has not yet been released by the Department of Budget and Management,” Padilla said. “We are hoping that it will be released very soon, and that would be good for three electric tranvia units,” she added. DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the project was part of broader efforts to promote electric mobility in the country, citing its lower operating cost compared to diesel-powered vehicles. “Before fuel prices increased, the per kilometer cost of the e-tranvia was around 6.16 if charged from electricity, compared to 18.98 for diesel, and even higher now at around 30 to 32,” he told reporters. He said initial hesitation among drivers, particularly in the tricycle sector, often stemmed from concerns about speed. “Some drivers think electric vehicles are slower because they want to go fast to make more trips, but if you show them that they save on electricity and reduce fuel costs, their earnings actually increase, so they do not need to rush,” he said. Solidum emphasized the need to expand charging infrastructure to support wider adoption of electric vehicles. “If you want to use an electric vehicle for long-distance travel, you should not run out of power, which is why it is important to have many charging facilities,” he said. He added that improving affordability, infrastructure, and public awareness remains key to increasing confidence in electric vehicles.