Mention ‘AUV’ or Asian utility vehicle and ‘Harabas’ is one of the first names to come to mind. It’s equal parts vehicle name and virtually any type of vehicle that’s used primarily as a workhorse—pang-harabas, in other words.
Well, the model is making a comeback now, as a fully-electric Harabas manufactured by Francisco Motors.
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It’s not quite as boxy and angular as the OG Harabas, which was originally produced by General Motors until it packed up and left the country. Instead, the Francisco Motors Harabas EV is more van-like in appearance, with a sliding door on the right side.
“We’ll have high roof, low-roof, transporter, cargo, ambulance, and many more configurations to serve as many local businesses and government agencies as possible just like our Anfra back in the day,” wrote Elmer Francisco in a social media post, which included images of the vehicle set up a people hauler akin to a UV Express.
Francisco did not mention powertrain output, but he said the Harabas EV will draw power from a lithium-ion-phosphate battery that can go up to 400km on a single charge. Fast-charging from 20% to 80% can be achieved in 30 minutes, he added.
Some parts used to manufacture the EV are still sourced from other countries. “Unfortunately, I can’t claim all the [credit] yet because it’s not yet 100% Philippine-made as we still have imported components from US, Germany, China, Taiwan, and Australia,” Francisco wrote, “but we will make it 100% Philippine-made really soon when we finally have government support, of which we have zero at this point. It’s easier said than done when you’re doing it on your own without government support.
“But, with your support, we’ll get there with or without government support.”
As to when the Harabas EV will be commercially available, he only said it could happen ‘really soon’: “Our prototypes will be completed in about a week or two and would be ready for road tests, then we’ll do costing, then it will be out in the market really soon, that is if the government will not delay us.”
