Super Volt Pasig River Pilot: A New Era for E-Trike Mobility in Metro Manila

Michael Alexander
3 days ago
2 min read

Metro Manila’s e-trike drivers face daily challenges: unpredictable range, long charging waits, and fuel costs that eat into earnings. The Super Volt Pasig River Pilot changes that.

This 5-mile (8 km) bidirectional wireless charging corridor along the Pasig River lets e-trikes, e-bikes, and light delivery pods (up to 20 kWh batteries) charge while moving—no plugs, no downtime, no barriers. It’s built to support mixed light traffic, giving drivers the freedom to serve more customers across neighborhoods.

The corridor uses a smart staggered layout: 30 segments (15 in each direction) with active charging zones carefully placed so one direction’s power pulses align with the other’s gaps. These intentional gaps keep costs down, reduce EMF exposure, and simplify maintenance—while still delivering reliable energy pulses as vehicles pass. The result is efficient, practical charging tailored to urban routes.

Bringing Life Back to Downtown

By giving e-trike operators confidence to travel farther without range anxiety, the pilot increases foot traffic and economic activity in downtown areas — without adding more vehicles to already congested roads. More customers reach local shops, markets, and services, creating a win-win for communities and drivers.

Jobs & Opportunity Built In

The project will generate over 50 local jobs, from construction to ongoing operations. Roles include:

Salespeople earning commissions by bringing receiver units to e-trike operators and small fleets — turning every sale into personal success.
Meter checkers and technicians who regularly inspect sensor readings, verify power flow, and ensure peak performance — keeping the corridor safe, efficient, and reliable for everyone who depends on it.

Environmental & Sustainability Impact

Switching from diesel to clean wireless power (grid or solar-powered) supports key UN Sustainable Development Goals:

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13: Climate Action

Early projections show substantial CO₂ reduction — tons removed annually from the Pasig corridor alone — while improving air quality in a densely populated urban zone.

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Network

To maximize the pilot’s impact, we suggest:

Charging garages at each end of the corridor for stationary top-ups, fleet staging, and overnight charging.
Uncharged connecting side streets every 2 km to link neighborhood routes — allowing easy access to more destinations without full infrastructure on every road. This modular expansion keeps costs low and coverage high as adoption grows.