The Geely Okavango just can’t catch a break. After having its 5-star safety rating revoked by the ASEAN NCAP, the Department of Energy (DOE) did just the same with its hybrid electric vehicle designation.
To recall, the OG Okavango was never recognized by the DOE as a hybrid given that they: one, couldn’t split the power outputs of the combustion engine and electric motor of its 48-volt EMS; and two, it couldn’t run on electric power alone (a requirement for DOE recognition).
That’s why heads turned when the newly founded Geely Motor Philippines (GMP) was able to apply for and be recognized as a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) when they launched the refreshed Okavango (now known as the Okavango Elite) despite having a carryover powertrain.
To be fair, GMP managed to produce documents explicitly stating the outputs of the combustion engine and the electric motor. However, because it was the very same powertrain as before, it still couldn’t run solely on electrons (even briefly).
Naturally, Okavango pre-GMP days felt deceived and wrote to both the DOE and GMP seeking clarification on the matter.
Instead of taking the side of Okavango owners or even of GMP, it seems the DOE simply wised up. The result? They just removed the Okavango HEV’s classification altogether. This means that for a brief six-month period, Okavango units released by Geely dealers sported green plates. Now that they’re back to traditional black plates, those particular units are now “rare paps” given their registration papers and documentation reflect a “hybrid” designation making them number coding exempt.
Mild Hybrid lang naman kasi ang Okavango. To make it worse, sirain pa yung 48V EMS battery nyan 😂
ReplyDeleteQuality of china ICE nah good, china PHEV nah good, china HYBRID nah good, china EV’s good 👍
ReplyDeleteChina EVs nah good either. Everything from China nah good.
Deletefinally DOE fixed that issue. I'm still baffled as to why they issued it in the first place lol. A mild hybrid will always be a mild hybrid no matter what explanations has been given to them, simple as that.
ReplyDeleteMy beef with the government is that they do not freaking know what's what. Should have been a simple matter.
ReplyDeleteThat said, Okavango's pretty good in many areas car buyers would care about. I have mine for three years and I find it much better than my Japanese cars, and yes even my German.
All mild hybrids with HEV designation like Mazda should then also be revoked
ReplyDeleteThe Mazda3 and CX-30 are not there, but the CX-60 and 90 are because they can run on electric mode alone which is a DOE requirement. Same goes for the new BMW hybrid models--both gas and diesel variants like the 520i, X3, X5, X7.
DeleteOnly the PHEV Mazdas should be eligiblr. The CX-60 is a mild hybrid that can run on electric only when coasting while the CX-90 only assist the engine for improved efficiency much like the Okavango.
DeleteBMW's older models are mild hybrid now their current hybrids are only PHEVs
DeleteHow about Ertiga? Ertiga 12V mild hybrid with green plates are everywhere lol, while the Fronx and XL7 (same powertrain) are not hybrid
ReplyDeleteThe DOE also removed the Ertiga from their list.
DeleteIs DZire still hybrid per DOE classification today?
DeleteDOE is unfair!!
DeleteI have a 2.5liter gas suv won't say anong brand baka isipin may bias. We also have the okavango. My 2.5 non hybrid gas suv consumes much less gas than our geely. Sometimes government has to test and not base their classification on paper specs. Okavango good car but consumes gas like our old 2000s accord
ReplyDeleteThis alone proves that not because the engine has small displacement Is already fuel efficient.
DeleteOkavango is heavy for a 1.5L engine, it is a turbo charged also to sustain is 190 hp with the aid of a mild hybrid. Of course, with much power comes heavier fuel consumption. I learned recently that if I don't use AC, fuel consumption improves almost 2x. Try it. Certainly driving w/o AC may no longer be bearable since amihan is gone and temperature will go higher in the coming days.
DeleteHow about suzuki ertiga which is much lower specs?
ReplyDeleteThe DOE also revoked it.
DeleteMaybe make another article on the other models with revoked status? It seems fair to call everyone out instead of just Geely.
DeleteGood move by the DOE. Adding a small motor and battery to make a car a hybrid is like a joke. It's like a free taste kind of thing. Mild hybrids doesn't fulfill its purpose as a hybrid. Don't understand why automakers have to make such things.
DeleteHow about Toyota zenix hybrid?
ReplyDeleteThe Zenix is a full hybrid, so yes it does qualify for coding exemption
DeleteIs it the same with xl7?
ReplyDeleteSneaky car dealers Better to buy a BEV simple n straight forward
ReplyDeleteQuagmire such as this could have been easily avoided if not for mediocre and.lazy technical govt officials... Imagine what they initially labelled the suzuki ertiga.. A car with a 12v starter-generator..
ReplyDelete.
Government inefficiency at its best
DeleteGreen plates should be exclusive to BEVs. Period. More so now when oil prices are skyrocketing, it's crucial we find alternatives to foreign oil as an energy source. We should only reward those who take the leap to a vehicle that uses zero fuel and has zero emissions. Hybrids still have tailpipe emissions and still need fuel to run. Also, almost all new vehicles being released in the country are hybrids. What's the point of the green plates if almost everyone gets them? The spirit of the EVIDA Law is being bastardized, lawmakers need to revise it ASAP.
ReplyDeleteDumb take imo. Hybrids are a medium-term tool for consumers to fully transition to full electrics.
DeleteFor example, PHEVs could run 90% of the time or even more just using electric power. No way in hell is that not a lot more environmentally friendly than ICEs.
4 years ago, NEVs were basically non-existent in the Philippines. Now, we still make up what, 5% of the registered cars? What’s 4 more years of incentives for consumers who are willing to take the risk?
Get outta here bro
This country is in the gutter because of half-baked measures like this. I’ll repeat my main point: what’s the point of the green plates if most new car buyers get one? A large chunk of new car buyers are getting hybrids, sales data back that up. Regarding PHEVs, they still have the ability to release tailpipe emissions and they still require fuel to run. Actual BEVs don’t have emissions and don’t use fuel (which can help with the country’s energy security in the current geopolitical environment, no pun intended). We should only reward those who take the big leap and confer unto them all the benefits of the EVIDA Law. If not, we might as well scrap the EVIDA Law rather than continue on with this farce.
DeleteDapat pati suzuki ertiga. Pinipilit maging hybrid na mild lang naman
ReplyDeleteDone na.
DeleteIt seems DOE doesn't know how to classify hybrid, mild hybrid.
ReplyDeleteMore like when the EVIDA law first came out, they weren't able to layout proper foundations. Now they have hence they've been closing loopholes.
Deleteso they should revoke ertiga as well.
ReplyDeleteThey already did.
DeleteHmm, I save about 50% fuel with my hybrid. That’s 50% environmental friendly. Yes, it still burn fuel at half the rate. For BEVs, where does majority of our electricity for charging comes from? … coal powered powerplants… new power load requiremente… burn more coal. And here’s to come… 5-10 years from now, where to we dispose of our depleted batteries? Seems to be not yet the perfect solution to our envoronment. Just my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteYou don't dispose EV batteries, you recycle them. You can repurpose them for energy storage for example. My solar set up has been using spent EV batteries I bought for cheap abroad for years now. I plan on integrating my EV's used batteries with my solar setup in the far future.
DeleteYou can also choose the energy source of your EV if you're particular about being green, my EV mostly charges using my solar harvest as another example. ICE and Hybrids use oil as their energy source and you really have no other choice but to use oil.
Our energy dependence on foreign oil is a national security risk, which our incompetent government is only realizing just now it seems. The sooner we can wean people off of oil, the better it'll be for our national security and our environment.
EVIDA should be about the long term, not the short term. Coding exemptions is a short term benefit, and people mostly think of the short term, that's why there's an influx of hybrids on our roads. The environment and our national security are the long term goals. Unfortunately, long term thinking is not a trait most people have.