Honda tests Mobile Power Pack tech in Romblon

Philippine-Japanese sustainability initiative to use renewable energy for transport

Honda recently chose Romblon as a test site for the company’s new sustainability initiative. The Japanese manufacturer demonstrated the ability of wind power to charge the swappable Mobile Power Packs that allow its PCX Electric scooter to run.

The archipelagic province of Romblon is relatively remote and many of its residents have been heavily reliant on diesel generators for power. There are efforts being made to move Romblon towards clean and renewable energy sources.

The Romblon Electric Cooperative (Romelco) has collaborated with the Japanese firm, Komaihaltec, in a joint venture to develop the province’s use of wind power. ₱242 million has been allocated to the wind project, half of which was donated in a grant by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. Romelco is firing up its first three wind turbines, leased from Komaihaltec, this month and another set will be installed in 2020. Romelco’s vision is for Romblon’s power supply to make a successful transition to 90% renewable energy by 2020. The company serves around 25,000 households around the province and has already been using a hydroelectric plant in Sibuyan and a solar-diesel hybrid system in Cobrador.

Honda ventured to Romblon to demonstrate the capabilities of its Mobile Power Pack technology. With cooperation from Komaihaltec, Honda installed an exchanger that takes surplus wind-generated energy and stores it in its Mobile Power Packs. Two Mobile Power Packs are used to power the PCX Electric scooter, an electric mobility product which Honda is promoting the use of through multiple demonstrations around the Southeast Asia region.

The Honda PCX Electric scooter's twin Mobile Power Packs give it a maximum range of 41 km at a sustained 60 km/h on a single charge. The PCX Electric scooter is part of Honda’s contribution to global efforts toward reducing carbon emissions in favor of clean, sustainable energy. The Japanese company hopes to show how the PCX Electric scooter can be an effective and efficient means of transportation for those living in urban centers and remote locations alike.