The development of the Hybrid Electric Train is a project of the Metals Industry Research and Development Center of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology in partnership with the Philippine National Railways. The Hybrid Electric Train project began in 2012, and the designing of the train commenced in the following year. The bidding process took place in 2013, with the manufacturing taking place from 2014 to 2015. The project was introduced to the public in June 2016. The train was developed by ten Filipino engineers and technicians from MIRDC led by head engineer Pablo Acuin.
Specifications
The Hybrid Electric Train is a hybrid electric vehicle powered by electricity and diesel. It has 260 lead acid batteries which is used to run the train and operate its automatic doors, air-conditioning and CCTV systems. It can be converted to utilize lithium battery. It also makes use of regenerative braking technology. The trainset has five non-articulated cars measuring long, wide, and high with one double-sliding doors on each side of each car, which can carry 220 passengers each at. Four of its cars serve as passenger coaches with one having a driver's cabin, while the other car not mentioned solely serves as a generator car that also includes a driver's cabin. The train also has an automatic stop safety feature that would activate in an event of a strong earthquake. The MIRDC contracted local bus and truck manufacturer Fil-Asia Automotive and Industries Corp. to build the train. Fil-Asia in turn outsourced the motor, chassis, engine, motor, axle, and wheels from outside of the Philippines to be able to manufacture it.
Operational history
The first commercial operations of the Hybrid Electric Train began on May 6, 2019, where it served the Alabang-Calamba Line thrice a day. The train was officially turned over to the Philippine National Railways on June 20, 2019. The DOST-HET has not made any known public appearances since then, and is currently being stored in Calamba, Laguna.
Future
According to DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Pena, the DOST will find private sector firms that will manufacture the rolling stock of the HET before Rodrigo Duterte ends his term as President in 2022.
