I.

Market Opportunity:

Tagum City’s transportation system is primarily composed of traditional gasoline-powered

tricycles, which presents a unique opportunity to introduce Electric Tricycles (E-Trikes) into the
market. Compared to larger urban centers or cities specifically in Metro Manila where they have
implemented electronic, and modernized jeepneys, but Tagum is still largely dependent on the
conventional tricycle. While these tricycles provide essential services, the sheer volume of them
significantly contributes to traffic congestion, particularly during busy hours along major roads.
This results in slower travel times, affecting commuters, students, and workers, and reducing
overall efficiency within the city's transport network.

In addition to the traffic issues, the environmental implications of gasoline-powered tricycles are
becoming increasingly concerning. These vehicles emit pollutants that negatively impact air
quality, which can lead to health problems for local residents. Moreover, the constant noise
from the engines affects the city's livability. Tricycle drivers also face financial instability, as their
income is heavily tied to fluctuating fuel prices. This often leads to higher fares for passengers
and further economic challenges for drivers. While electric jeepneys have started to gain
traction in other parts of the Philippines, there has been little progress in replacing traditional
tricycles with electric versions, particularly in Mindanao. This gap represents a significant
opportunity for Tagum to be at the forefront of a sustainable transportation shift.

Given that alternatives to tricycles are limited in Tagum, the city is well-positioned to introduce
E-Trikes, offering a forward-thinking solution. E-Trikes provide several advantages, including
reduced congestion thanks to faster acceleration and more consistent speeds. They also
produce no emissions, improving air quality and reducing noise levels. In addition, the lower
operational costs of E-Trikes, due to cheaper electricity and reduced maintenance, can
potentially result in lower fares for passengers and better economic stability for drivers.

For this shift to be successful, it is crucial to ensure that E-Trikes remain affordable and that
current drivers are supported in making the transition. One viable strategy could be to retrofit
existing tricycles by replacing the gasoline-powered engine with an electric motor, allowing
drivers to retain their current sidecars. This approach would minimize initial investment costs.
Additionally, offering fully electric tricycle with new side-car models at competitive prices would
make the transition more accessible. Government incentives, such as subsidies, favorable
financing plans, and clear guidelines for modifying existing franchises, will be key in making the
switch more appealing to drivers. By primarily setting goal on cost-effectiveness and providing
clear pathways for adoption, Tagum City has the chance to modernize its transport system,
benefiting both drivers and residents by creating a cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable
urban environment.

II. Hypothesis:
 a. Hypothesis Formulated:

In Tagum City, the strategic introduction of Electric Tricycles (E-Trikes) that are more affordable
than new gasoline tricycles, offer a sidecar integration option for existing units, are equipped
with digital payment systems, are integrated into a city-wide logistical network for small goods
delivery, and benefit from dedicated charging infrastructure and local government incentives
will lead to a substantial (over 60%) conversion of traditional tricycle franchises to E-Trikes
within three years, resulting in measurable improvements in air quality, reduced average
commute times in congested areas, increased driver net income, higher commuter satisfaction,
and the establishment of a sustainable local delivery ecosystem. (DOE, 2024)

Breakdown of Hypothesis (Five or more components):

 Affordability and Transition Strategy: The availability of E-Trikes at a lower cost than
new gasoline tricycles, coupled with the option to integrate the electric motorcycle with
existing sidecars, will significantly lower the barrier to entry for current tricycle drivers,
driving higher adoption rates. (Bernadeth, 2023)

 Digital Payment Adoption: The integration of digital payment systems (e.g., G-cash, Pay
Maya) will enhance convenience and perceived safety for commuters, leading to
increased ridership and preference for E-Trikes over traditional, cash-only tricycles. (Go,
2025)

 Logistical Network Integration: Embedding E-Trikes into a city-wide logistical network

for small goods delivery will create new revenue streams for drivers and provide
efficient, eco-friendly delivery options for local businesses, increasing the overall
utilization and economic viability of E-Trikes. (Bonilla et al., 2024)

 Infrastructure and Incentives: The presence of dedicated and conveniently located

charging infrastructure, along with local government incentives such as subsidies, tax
breaks, and streamlined permitting for E-Trike operators, will directly facilitate and
accelerate the adoption and sustained use of E-Trikes. (Balaria et al., 2017)

 Multi-faceted Positive Impact: The widespread adoption of E-Trikes will result in a

combination of tangible benefits for Tagum City, including measurable improvements in
air quality (reduction in pollutants), reduced average commute times in previously
congested areas due to potentially better acceleration and traffic flow, increased net
income for E-Trike drivers due to lower operating costs, and higher overall satisfaction
among commuters due to a more modern and comfortable ride experience. (Seminiano,
2024)
This hypothesis provides a more holistic view of the potential impact of E-Trikes, encompassing
economic, environmental, social, and infrastructural factors, and outlines several key areas that
would indicate its validity.

b. Logic Explanation of the Hypothesis

The hypothesis regarding the successful adoption and positive impacts of E-Trikes in Tagum City
is further strengthened by the findings of the studies you provided:

1. Affordability and Transition Strategy: The hypothesis emphasizes the importance of E-

Trikes being more affordable than new gasoline tricycles and offering a sidecar
integration option. The study by Orpilla et al. (2025) on tricycle electrification in Manila
supports the viability of converting existing gasoline tricycles to electric, suggesting it
can be a cost-effective transition strategy. Their pre-feasibility study indicated a favorable
benefit-cost ratio for a city-led investment in conversion. This aligns with the hypothesis'
component aimed at lowering the barrier to entry for drivers. Furthermore, Mariano et
al. (2019) in their "Analysis of Energy Economy Rating of E-Trike on Long and Short
Routes" highlight the potentially lower operating costs of E-Trikes compared to
traditional vehicles, which contributes to their long-term affordability for drivers.

2. Digital Payment Adoption: As previously stated, the trend towards digital payments is
crucial. While the provided studies don't directly focus on payment methods, the
general push for modernization in public transport, as implied in the discussions around
E-Trike adoption, supports the inclusion of convenient digital payment systems for
commuters.

3. Logistical Network Integration: The idea of integrating E-Trikes into a logistical network
for small goods delivery aims to enhance their economic viability. While none of the new
studies explicitly detail this integration, the increasing focus on efficient and eco-friendly
last-mile delivery solutions, as mentioned by Bonilla et al. (2024) in the initial
references, provides a strong rationale for this component of the hypothesis.

4. Infrastructure and Incentives: The necessity of dedicated charging infrastructure and

government incentives is underscored by RichestPH (2025) in their overview of EV
challenges and opportunities in the Philippines. They identify the lack of adequate
charging stations as a significant barrier to EV adoption and emphasize the need for
government support through incentives and policy. This directly supports the
hypothesis' call for dedicated infrastructure and local government incentives in Tagum
City.

5. Multi-faceted Positive Impact: The anticipated positive impacts are further supported
by the new studies. Mariano et al. (2019) explicitly mention the environmental benefits
 of E-Trikes, noting their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to
gasoline-powered vehicles. The Philippine Journal of Science study (Orpilla et al., 2023)
provides a comparative analysis showing that converted electric tricycles have
significantly lower CO2 emissions than both 2-stroke and 4-stroke gasoline tricycles. This
directly validates the hypothesis' expectation of measurable improvements in air quality.
Additionally, Nacion et al. (2022) in their "Operational Efficiency Assessment of E-Trike
and Motorized Tricycles" found that E-Trikes can offer comparable or even better service
rates in terminals, suggesting the potential for reduced commute times due to efficient
operation. The lower operating costs, as highlighted by Mariano et al. (2019) and the
Philippine Journal of Science study (Orpilla et al., 2023), logically lead to the
expectation of increased net income for E-Trike drivers.

In summary, the inclusion of data from Mariano et al. (2019), Orpilla et al. (2023 & 2025),
Nacion et al. (2022), and RichestPH (2025) provides further empirical and logical support for
the various components of the hypothesis. These studies highlight the economic advantages,
environmental benefits, and the importance of infrastructure and strategic implementation for
successful E-Trike adoption in the Philippine context, thus strengthening the plausibility of
achieving a substantial conversion and the anticipated positive impacts in Tagum City.
References:
Balaria et al. (2017, september 3). scirp. Retrieved from Scientific Research:
[Link]

Bernadeth, M. (2023, february). Sustainability of Electric Tricycle A Case Study on Sustainable

Transportation and Land Use in Antipolo City, Province of Rizal. Retrieved from research
gate:
[Link]
e_A_Case_Study_on_Sustainable_Transportation_and_Land_Use_in_Antipolo_City_Pro
vince_of_Rizal

Bonilla et al. (2024, june). Taxonomy of key practices for a sustainable Last-Mile logistics
network in E-Retail: A comprehensive literature review. Retrieved from science direct:
[Link]

DOE. (2024, August). Department of Energy. Retrieved from Department of Energy:

[Link]
gasoline-consumption-56-mmb

Go, M. (2025, March 17). Philstar Global. Retrieved from Philstar Global:
[Link]
adoption-digital-services

Opinion. (2024, february 9). online world news. Retrieved from online world news:
[Link]

Seminiano, T. (2024). Driving the EV Revolution in the Philippines. Retrieved from kadence:
[Link]

Trends in consumer behavior post-COVID-19. (2024, February 9). Online World News. Retrieved
from [Link] (Note:
"Opinion" was part of the title on the webpage, but it seems to be a news article, so I've
omitted it for a more standard title).

Seminiano, T. (2024). Driving the EV Revolution in the Philippines. Kadence. Retrieved from
[Link]

Mariano, R. R., et al. (2019, September). Analysis of Energy Economy Rating of E-Trike on Long
and Short Routes. National Center for Transportation Studies, University of the
Philippines Diliman. Retrieved from
[Link]
[Link]
Orpilla, R. A. G., et al. (2023). Comparative Study Between Conventional and Converted Electric
Tricycle. Philippine Journal of Science, 152(3), 947-957. Retrieved from
[Link]
etween_conventional_and_coverted_electric_tricycle_.pdf

Nacion, A. P., et al. (2022). Operational Efficiency Assessment of E-Trike and Motorized Tricycles.
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities, 4(3),
107-114. Retrieved from [Link] (Note: While
the request didn't include this link in the initial "References" section of the provided
text, it was mentioned in the subsequent explanation, so I've included it here.)

RichestPH. (2025). Electric Vehicles in the Philippines: Challenges and Opportunities. RichestPH.
Retrieved from [I couldn't directly access a specific page on RichestPH with this exact
title. If you can provide a more specific link, I can create a more accurate citation.]
(Assuming this is a webpage on the RichestPH site).