BPI adds fully electric shuttle to corporate fleet

The Bank of the Philippines Islands (BPI) has officially added a fully electric shuttle unit to its corporate fleet. 

BPI's new GET COMET fully-electric shuttle

Acquired via a leasing program from Global Electric Transporation (GET), this EV shuttle unit is the banking giant’s initial steps into replacing its old gas-powered line of fleet vehicles. Doing so will aid the company in reducing its carbon footprint, as well as curtailing its consumption of fossil fuels. 

While BPI has on-boarded a singular EV unit, it will have a huge positive impact on its employees. According to the company, the new EV bus will ply a route between BPI Buendia Center and MRT Buendia Station as a free service for the members of its staff. 

The new EV fleet vehicle, the company claims, will reduce its diesel consumption by an estimated 30,000 liters per year. This is equivalent to a massive 40,000-kilogram reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, specifically CO2, per year. 

Of note, BPI’s EV bus is a similar unit to those used by the CityLink Shuttle Service in Makati City. It is known as the “COMET” or, Community Optimized Managed Electric Transport. 

Design-wise, it is a boxy-looking shuttle that can accommodate up to 30 occupants. It features a wheelchair ramp and an on-board global positioning system for easy tracking. GET likewise provides an app for vehicle maintenance alerts, route optimization, and overall fleet management. 

“In BPI, we believe that the first step to building a sustainable future is by starting within ourselves, within the organization,” said BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco. 

“We are excited to roll out a more environment-friendly and sustainable shuttle service for our employees. This forms part of our mission to help build a better Philippines - one family, one community at a time,” added Limcaoco. 

BPI and GET executives together with the EV shuttle

Of note, BPI is at the cutting edge of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) among financial institutions in Asia. In 2022 alone, the bank has won a whopping 10 sustainability-themed awards. This number of accolades for the banking entity went up to 14 in 2023. 

Among these are the “Best Bank for Sustainable Finance in the Philippines” from Global Finance Sustainable Finance Awards for 2022, the “Sustainability Company of the Year Circle of Excellence” from Asia CEO Awards 2023, and the “Best Sustainable Bank in the Philippines” from Finance Asia Awards 2023, among others. 

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