Fully electric security vehicle joins CALAX fleet

MANILA: MPCALA Holdings, Inc. (MHI), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), has unveiled its first fully electric security vehicle for the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) today, December 20.

The toll road company aims to convert the entire fleet of traffic and security vehicles in CALAX to eco-friendly electric vehicles (EVs) as part of its goal to become a green highway. MHI has also previously used an electric bus as a shuttle for its personnel. The company is also planning to install EV charging stations along CALAX not only for its fleet, but also for other EVs traveling along the expressway.

In a statement, MPTC Chief Finance Officer and Senior Executive Sponsor for Sustainability Christopher Lizo said, “As each vehicle in our fleet hits its end of life, we replace them with EVs. In a broad sense, EVs create a lower carbon footprint over the course of their lifetime than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. Our move to transition to EV is aligned with our strategy to help decarbonize the transport sector. This is in support of our country’s goal of reducing its fossil-fuel consumption as part of its thrust for sustainable development.”

CALAX EVs are supplied by eSakay, a Meralco company that develops end-to-end EV and charging infrastructure solutions. The vehicles are zero-emission, helping to reduce carbon footprint. With eSakay’s extensive experience with green mobility deployments, they can give the essential expertise and support to MHI and MPTC’s tollway sustainability project.

Prior to this, MHI had already begun integrating energy-efficient and resource-saving technologies while also boasting high-quality safety features along CALAX. Existing toll plazas of the operational sections in CALAX have solar panels that can power their own operations. LED fixtures have also been put in the company’s lighting and roadway lightings, resulting in improved energy efficiency.

Moreover, MPT South’s headquarters, known as MPT South HUB, is a Leader in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-registered facility with a certification goal of LEED Gold. LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world, for almost any building type. It establishes a framework for healthy, energy-efficient, and cost-effective green buildings.

MPTC’s Green Highway Initiative in CALAX is in line with Metro Pacific Investment Corporation’s sustainability efforts to support the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically in upgrading all industries and infrastructure to make them sustainable (SDG 9) and promoting innovation in building assets in adherence to the company’s commitments to climate action (SDG 13).

Aside from CALAX, MPTC also manages the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex), the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the NLEX Connector Road, and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX).

Photos from MPCALA Holdings, Inc.

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