PNP eyes electric vehicles amid fuel price surge
The Philippine National Police is considering procuring electric vehicles for its patrol units in anticipation of a surge in fuel prices driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“For an agency that is dependent on fuel in its daily operations, we view the Middle East tensions as a wake-up call for us to revisit the policy on patrol vehicle procurement,” PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Thursday.
“But we need to conduct our own study and assessment first on whether or not electric vehicles are practical, reliable and suitable to the daily routine of our personnel on the ground,” he added.
Nartatez said that with the PNP’s operational costs expected to rise, electric vehicles might be the next best option as “fast and reliable response must not be compromised.”
On Tuesday, local oil companies raised the prices of diesel, kerosene and gasoline by P1.20, P1.50 and P1.90 per liter, respectively.
In response, President Marcos directed government agencies to conserve energy, prompting the PNP to order its units to reduce nonessential travel, pool vehicles whenever possible and improve the planning of operations.
