Philippine Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers can now take part in reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions while saving on fuel costs by using a patented fuel engine nozzle developed by a local startup.
The Greentech Ecobooster, a fuel and greenhouse-efficient engine nozzle developed by the startup Greentech Ecobooster PH, can be easily installed in any gasoline-powered engine, including commonly used PUVs like tricycles and jeepneys.
The nozzle is the brainchild of Rommel Bernardo, an inventor who aims to create innovative solutions to support those at the grassroots level.
By simply replacing the regular nozzle of a gasoline-powered engine with Greentech Ecobooster, the air and fuel can now mix more evenly and efficiently due to its precisely engineered aerodynamic unidirectional ‘turbulators.’
“Pagdaan ng gasolina doon, nadidisperse siya—na-atomize siya automatically. And then, pagka-atomize niya, para siyang na-agitate; nagiging very mobile, so ang nangyayari, nagagamit na lahat ng fuel [As the fuel passes through, it gets dispersed and automatically atomized. Once it’s atomized, it’s like it becomes agitated—it turns very mobile, allowing all the fuel to be fully utilized],” Rowena Bernardo, Greentech Ecobooster PH’s systems and communications officer and the inventor’s sister, said in a Zoom interview.
Greentech’s Ecobooster significantly reduces the release of harmful greenhouse gases, Ms. Bernardo said, resulting in 98% less black smoke (carbon monoxide), 92% fewer fumes (hydrocarbons) due to a more balanced air-to-fuel ratio.
A 2021 report from the National Emissions Inventory said that vehicle sources like cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses, were responsible for 56% of the country’s air pollutant emissions
These vehicle emissions are said to contribute to overall greenhouse gas emissions, which are one of the leading causes of the increasing global temperature.
The country has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by the year 2030.
Apart from lowering emissions, Greentech Ecobooster can also improve engine fuel economy by nearly 32%, Ms. Bernardo said, potentially increasing PUV drivers’ daily take-home pay by about P50 to P120.
Raymund Acedera, CEO of Greentech Ecobooster PH, explained that owning the nozzle is a more cost-effective choice, especially with fluctuating fuel prices that disproportionately impact PUV drivers.
“Everybody’s like, ‘Yeah, clean air is important.’ But I can’t feed my family with clean air. So what are my options?,” Mr. Acedera said in a mix of Filipino and English in the same Zoom call.
“Meron silang [they have] motivation to do something because there is something in it for them. And by so doing, we accelerate—or we are now able to do something that has traction,” he added.
Greentech Ecobooster is priced at only P1,900 as a complete plug-and-play package, with drivers able to recover the cost in just one month, Mr. Acedera said.
The startup aims to pilot the novel nozzle among 700 customers, mainly tricycle drivers.
It also eyes partnerships with financial institutions to help public utility groups like the Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (TODA) gain access to the technology through flexible payments.
Mr. Acedera also said that Greentech Ecobooster PH is considering talks with motorcycle manufacturers so the device can be pre-installed. He also calls for government support for its widespread adoption.
GreenTech Ecobooster PH has also made it as one of the top three finalists in this year’s Shell LiveWIRE, a flagship enterprise development program of Shell Philippines. – Edg Adrian A. Eva
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