Manila (TAN): Travellers looking to explore Philippines’ Laguna province will now find an eco-friendly way to reach their desired destination.
The country’s Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has innovated the Hybrid Electric Train (HET), for the first time in Philippines.
The train, stationed on the Philippine National Railways (PNR), will use Toyota Prius’ technology to transport passengers from Metro Manila to Calamba in Laguna.
DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said the HET needed further testing, media reports said. According to him, the train would undergo 150 hours of validation testing over a span of 25 days to one month of six-hour operation with passengers.
He added that the training of PNR drivers and maintenance personnel will begin in the first week of March.
How it all started
Conceived in 2012, HET was designed in 2013, media reports said.
DOST then worked with Philippines-based trucks manufacturer company Fil-Asia Automotive and Industries Corporation to build the train that features an electric motor, a diesel-powered generator, a bank of electrical batteries, and regenerative braking technology.
However, parts including the motor, chassis, engine, motor, axle, and wheels were outsourced from abroad.
How HET works
Kinetic energy from braking is transformed into electricity, which is stored in 260 lead-acid batteries.
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The energy can then be used to run the train, powers its automatic doors, air-conditioning and CCTV cameras.
