Landmark Agreement with Francisco Motors to Electrify Jeepneys in the Philippines

Jeepneys are iconic public utility vehicles in the Philippines, representing 40% of public transport

Total addressable market estimated at US$10bn+ (excluding charging and other ancillary solutions)

Established in 1947, Francisco Motors is the original pioneering jeepney manufacturer

Francisco Motors and Tembo are already working towards delivering on committed orders

Deal will benefit Tembo’s customer and partners in other industries including mining & defence

Tembo to gain access to low-cost assembly and manufacturing in Philippines

Tembo E-LV, a subsidiary of the NASDAQ listed B Corp, VivoPower International, is pleased to announce that it has signed a definitive joint venture agreement with Francisco Motor Corporation, the pioneering manufacturers of the iconic jeepneys in the Philippines, which are primarily used for public transportation. Pursuant to the Agreement, Tembo will develop and supply electric utility vehicle (EUV) electrification kits for a new generation of electric jeepneys. Francisco Motors and Tembo have already secured their first orders and have commenced work to deliver on these jeepneys.

One of the Philippines’ cultural icons, jeepneys are the most common utility vehicle in the Philippines and the main mode of public transportation in the country, accounting for just over 40% of public transportation. There are more than 200,000 jeepneys on the road in the Philippines, of which more than 90% are at least 15 years old and running on second-hand diesel engines. In urban areas, jeepneys contribute up to 94% of ultrafine soot particles that are related to adverse respiratory and cardiovascular effects, increased cases of asthma, and premature deaths.

In June 2017, the Philippine government, through the Department of Transportation (DOTr), announced its plan to modernise the public transportation industry. Under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernisation Program (PUVMP), the DOTr requires that all jeepneys and other Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) with at least 15 years of service be replaced with more energy-efficient and environment-friendly alternatives. The initiative provides jeepney drivers and operators the option of switching to Euro 4-compliant or electric engine vehicles. This creates a US$10bn+ addressable market for the replacement of the old jeepneys. In addition to the potential market for electric vehicles, the conversion of diesel-powered jeepneys to electric can reduce the carbon emissions of jeepney operations in the country. It can also significantly increase jeepney operators’ income by reducing daily fuel/energy costs by up to 80%, saving up to PhP60 billion per year for all the jeepneys operated in the Philippines.

Elmer Francisco, Chairman of Elmer Francisco Motor Corporation, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have signed this landmark deal with Tembo. We have had multiple approaches from various OEMs and electrification partners around the world, but the VivoPower and Tembo teams stood out for their genuine commitment to a purpose beyond solely the profit motive. In addition, we were impressed with the quality of their technical team and experience comprising world-class engineers formerly with the likes of Tesla, Rivian, Toyota, and others. Given the importance of the jeepney sector to the Philippines, the climate, the livelihoods of so many drivers, and the health and well-being of so many Filipinos, we wanted to be very careful and selective of who we partnered with for this iconic mission. We look forward to getting to work immediately given the initial orders we already have and the immediate pipeline of 37,000 jeepneys to be electrified. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Tembo and VivoPower.”

Kevin Chin, VivoPower’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are honoured to have signed this exclusive definitive agreement with Francisco Motor Corporation to electrify the jeepneys, a much-loved cultural icon in the Philippines. Francisco Motors are the original pioneers of the jeepney, launching in 1947 post the ending of World War II. We stand in solidarity with Elmer Francisco, Chairman of Francisco Motors, in our shared mission to electrify and rejuvenate the jeepney in a manner that preserves the original design and look, as well as importantly improves the livelihood of the people employed by the jeepney industry.

“In addition, this will contribute to a significant reduction in carbon emissions in the Philippines, with jeepneys accounting for an estimated 4 million tonnes of CO2 emission per annum, not to mention the very significant addressable market opportunity. As a certified B Corporation, we believe this comprehensively ticks all the boxes of our triple bottom line mantra of people, planet, and profit. Beyond the triple bottom line impact, this development will also bring consequential benefits for Tembo’s EUV programmes for other industries including mining, defence, infrastructure and utilities, conservation parks, and agriculture amongst others. In particular, the transformational economies of scale, buying power, and access to low-cost assembly and manufacturing capabilities will help to further materially reduce the bill of material costs in the future for the benefit of our customers in industries such as mining, and defence.”

To read our full press release, and to keep up with all of Tembo’s releases, visit our Press Releases page.

About Francisco Motors

Founded in 1947, Francisco Motors is the pioneering creator and manufacturer of the jeepney in the Philippines. Headquartered in Manila in the Philippines, Francisco Motors is leading the transition from manufacturing traditional diesel-powered jeepneys to modern electric jeepneys to help the Philippines in transitioning to cleaner modes of public transportation.

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VivoPower Announces Appointment of Philip Wray as Group Finance Director

VivoPower is pleased to announce that Philip Wray has joined as Group Finance Director. Phil brings a wealth of financial and leadership expertise to VivoPower, having worked in large multinational corporations for the past 18 years.

With a degree in Accounting and Finance and ACA Qualified, he started his career at Invensys plc in the UK soon holding a leadership role managing quarterly financial announcements and annual Group accounts. He also held a key position in Switzerland to integrate an Invensys Operating Company into the Group’s Reporting and Audit structure, and a financial manager role at Invensys Rail in the UK where he grew and developed the financial accounting team.

In 2011, he moved to Tektronix to focus on business partnering and helping drive profitable growth across the EMEA region through data analytics and investment analysis. Having led various financial and commercial projects successfully, he became the EMEA Finance Director in 2018 where he enabled the business to exceed its annual commitments while leading the finance organisation to develop best-in-class support for the group.

Phil also volunteers his skills with two not-for-profit organisations, supporting a local school and grassroots football club with financial guidance and strategic input.

As we welcome Phil to the VivoPower team, we would also like to thank James Tindal-Robertson and wish him all the very best for the future.

For more news & insights, stay tuned to the Tembo website.

VivoPower Announces Strategic Direct Investment in Tembo at US$120m Pre-Money Valuation

Investment secured from private investment office backed by member of ruling Al Maktoum family of Dubai

Initial US$2.5m investment with an option to increase up to US$10m in subsequent closings

Investment underscores Tembo’s progress and commitment to the UAE and surrounding markets

VivoPower is pleased to announce a strategic direct equity investment into its wholly owned subsidiary, Tembo e-LV, at a pre-money valuation of US$120 million.

Underlining its strong commitment to the UAE and the wider Middle East region, Tembo has secured an initial investment commitment of US$2.5 million from a private investment office backed by a member of the ruling Al Maktoum family of Dubai. The investor, under the agreement terms, retains the option to increase its cumulative investment in subsequent closings, up to US$10 million.

Kevin Chin, Chairman and CEO of VivoPower, noted:

“We are very pleased to have secured this strategic direct investment into Tembo, underscoring what has been achieved and executed upon since its acquisition in 2020. This strategic investment comes on the heels of our recently announced strategic collaboration with AL TAIF Technical Services, the UAE's leading provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for military equipment. We will continue to deepen our ties with the UAE as we seek to service customers and partners within the local market as well as the surrounding region.”

VivoPower will continue to retain its majority stake in Tembo.

To read the full press release, and to keep up with all of VivoPower’s releases, visit the Press Releases page.

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Shareholder Enquiries

[email protected]

VivoPower Announces Definitive Distribution Agreement in Ghana for Tembo EUVs

Agreement with Fourche Maline to sell 2,500 Tembo EUV kits over the next 5 years

Ghana is the largest producer of gold in Africa and ranks amongst the top 6 globally

Ghana’s government has launched the Drive Electric Initiative through the Ghana Energy Commission

VivoPower is pleased to announce that it has signed a definitive agreement with Fourche Maline, a fully indigenous Ghanaian engineering and technical services company for it to market, distribute, and service Tembo-powered electric utility vehicles (EUVs) across Ghana. Fourche Maline provides engineering and technical services in the local Ghana market to a number of the world’s leading companies in the Oil & Gas, Mining, Power & Energy, and Food & Beverage sectors.

Under the Agreement, Fourche Maline has committed to sell a total of 2,500 Tembo EV conversion kits from execution of this Agreement over the next 5 years across Ghana and West Africa. Fourche Maline will be responsible for acquiring utility vehicles, converting the vehicles to ruggedised Electric Utility Vehicles using Tembo conversion kits, selling the units to end customers, and providing after-sale servicing and maintenance with support from Tembo. Sectors, where the Tembo EUV will be used, are wide-ranging, including mining but also power, oil & gas, government services, insurance, and agriculture.

Ghana is one of the largest mining countries in the world and the number one gold mining country in Africa. The Hilux and LandCruiser are widely used in the local mining industry and several international mining companies with a local presence have declared global sustainability goals. Ghana has also been a proponent of Electric Vehicle adoption with the Ghana Energy Commission launching a “Drive Electric Initiative” (DEI-Gh) to foster the development of the EV market and infrastructure.

The Tembo EUV kits will transform new and second-hand diesel-powered 4×4 LandCruiser and Hilux vehicles into ruggedised EUVs. Tembo EUV conversion kits are a key component of VivoPower’s turnkey sustainable energy solutions, designed to help corporate customers accelerate towards their net zero carbon goals and to achieve cost savings.

Kevin Chin, VivoPower’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said:

“We are very pleased to contribute towards the acceleration of Ghana achieving its net-zero goals with our Tembo EUV23 kits. Given the large mining sector in Ghana and surrounding West African nations, there is widespread use of the Hilux and LandCruiser models for mining as well as other sectors. Accordingly, there is a sizeable opportunity for electrification of utility vehicle fleets. We look forward to working closely with the Fourche Maline team to deliver not just Tembo EUV kits but also our broader sustainable energy solutions to Ghana, assisting the Ghanaian government as well as large industrial sector companies achieve their energy transition goals over the next five years in and beyond.”

Matilda Agyemang Sarfo, Fourche Maline’s Board Director, said:

“We are thrilled about the collaboration with VivoPower to implement electric mobility solutions specifically designed for aggressive and rugged terrains in Ghana and West Africa. This partnership represents a significant milestone as Ghana is the largest gold producer in Africa, and its mining sector is dedicated to a shift towards sustainable transportation. We have already initiated discussions with some key local mining players who are keen to test Tembo’s electrification solution.”

To read the full press release, and to keep up with all of VivoPower’s releases, visit the Press Releases page.

About Fourche Maline Ltd

Fourche Maline is a fully indigenous Ghanaian engineering and technical services company dedicated to the optimal performance of a wide range of industrial and commercial services for clients in the Oil and gas, Mining, Food and Beverage, and Diplomatic missions.

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Shareholder Enquiries

[email protected]

VivoPower’s Tembo e-LV unit announces collaboration with EDGE Group’s AL TAIF, a ground military MRO company based in the UAE

Tembo E-LV, a subsidiary of VivoPower International, is pleased to announce that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with AL TAIF Technical Services, the UAE’s leading provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for military equipment. Pursuant to the Agreement, the collaboration will undertake feasibility studies with the goal of formalising a partnership spanning distribution of Tembo EV conversion kits, research & development, training in electric mobility and high voltage, as well as local assembly operations in the UAE.

AL TAIF is a subsidiary of the EDGE Group, one of the world’s leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold, and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond. Its customers include defence and police organisations in the UAE, the MENA region, and extending to other regions.

The Tembo EUV kits transform new and second-hand utility vehicles, including the 4×4 LandCruiser and Hilux vehicles into ruggedised EUVs for use in off-road and specialised on-road applications, including defence, mining, agriculture, construction, safari, and conservation, as well as humanitarian aid purposes. Tembo EUV conversion kits are a key component of VivoPower’s turnkey sustainable energy solutions, encompassing training and safety solutions, critical power solutions, battery storage, and battery second life applications designed to help fleet-owning customers accelerate towards their net zero carbon goals and to achieve cost savings.

The Agreement follows successful drive days in desert conditions, outside of Dubai (March 2023) and Abu Dhabi (May 2023) with Tembo EUV repowered vehicles.

Kevin Chin, VivoPower’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said:

“On behalf of the entire VivoPower and Tembo teams, I am very honoured to have entered into this Memorandum of Understanding with AL TAIF, the UAE’s official military and defence maintenance company. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Saif Al Dahbashi, AL TAIF’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and his team for selecting VivoPower and Tembo as their preferred partners for feasibility studies in relation to electric vehicle conversions and ancillary training services for the UAE military and their regional customers. At Tembo, we are very aware of the exacting standards required for defence industry use cases, which span not just safety but also security and confidentiality. As a B Corporation that has been recognised as amongst the Best in the World for Governance, VivoPower and its subsidiaries adopt an uncompromising approach towards security and confidentiality. We are all committed to working closely with the AL TAIF team to deliver both economic and sustainability outcomes for AL TAIF, the EDGE Group, and the UAE more broadly.”

Saif Al Dahbashi, AL TAIF’s CEO, said:

“As the leading centre of excellence for comprehensive lifecycle support of defence systems in the UAE, AL TAIF is very pleased to embark on this journey of collaboration with VivoPower and Tembo. As we align with the UAE’s strategic decarbonisation efforts, this partnership marks a concrete step within the defence industry to ensure a safe and secure future. By combining our respective strengths, we are confident that we will make significant strides in contributing to a more sustainable UAE, delivering unparalleled solutions that drive down costs and address the evolving needs of our customers."

To read the full press release, and to keep up with all of VivoPower’s releases, visit the company's Press Releases page.

About AL TAIF

AL TAIF provides essential lifecycle services and technical capability development to guarantee the ultimate asset performance and mission readiness for its customers. Its eleven state-of-the-art workshops are geographically distributed to offer seamless convenience and flexibility, while a mobile unit can quickly and efficiently address all types of MRO needs. The company is part of the Platforms & Systems cluster within EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology groups.

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Enquiries
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VivoPower, Tembo e-LV showcase electrified vehicle solutions at Endeavour Energy's Future Forum

VivoPower and Tembo e-LV had the honour of showcasing Tembo's electrified vehicle solutions at Endeavour Energy's Future Forum event held at Kings Park, Hoxton Park, and Spring Hill in Greater Sydney. The team demonstrated the capabilities of the Tembo electric utility vehicle (EUV) to attendees at multiple Endeavour Energy depots in the region.

The Future Forum showcased Endeavour Energy's forward-thinking innovation and served as an opportunity to recognise outstanding achievements in the energy industry. It also gave participants the platform to speak with peers on ways to drive the industry forward and help businesses meet their sustainability targets.

We thank the Endeavour Energy team, especially Danny Thai, Nathan Keen, Cameron Sampson, and Bruce Scoble. Special thanks also go to VivoPower's Kevin Chin and Miya Zhou for representing our company at the event and engaging with the attendees, as well as to Daniel Boardman, Phil Barker, and Evan Beaver for providing valuable support.

For more news and updates, stay tuned to the Tembo e-LV website.

VIVOPOWER ANNOUNCES DEFINITIVE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT TO DISTRIBUTE EV FLEET CHARGING SOLUTIONS

VivoPower International is pleased to announce that it has signed a definitive partnership agreement for VivoPower to market and distribute Vital EV Solutions fleet charging solutions globally.

Part of the Vital Group of companies, Vital EV is a specialist UK headquartered company, offering a comprehensive range of electric vehicle charging solutions for fleet owners and is the official re-seller of Kempower charging stations and service solutions in the UK and across Africa. Kempower, headquartered in Finland, has the fastest EV fleet charging solutions on the market including for off-highway working environment applications. 

Under the Agreement, VivoPower will be able to offer to its customers and partners a wide range of EV fleet charging products and services from Vital EV and Kempower for an initial term of 3 years. These products include multi-voltage lightweight movable rapid chargers, hub-and-spoke rapid and ultra-rapid charging systems, satellite dispensers as well as conventional station chargers.

The EV fleet charging solutions will be offered by VivoPower to complement Tembo’s EV conversion kits, which transform new and second-hand diesel-powered 4×4 Land Cruiser and Hilux vehicles into ruggedised EUVs for use in many sectors, including mining, infrastructure, government agencies, humanitarian, tourism, and agriculture. Tembo EV conversion kits are a key component of VivoPower’s turnkey sustainable energy solutions, designed to help corporate customers accelerate toward their net zero carbon goals and to achieve cost savings.

Kevin Chin, VivoPower’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said:

“VivoPower’s purpose is to generate sustainable energy solutions to help our customers and our planet. This partnership will allow VivoPower to bundle ancillary charging solutions for our fleet-owning customers and partners who are seeking to electrify their fleets with the Tembo EV conversion kits. Vital EV’s solutions are differentiated from others in the market in that they offer satellite remote charging, off-road and ruggedised charging, as well as both DC and AC charging. This is highly relevant for some of the use cases of our customers, including for off-road and remote conditions.”

Alex Rae, Vital EV’s Director and General Manager, said:

“Vital EV are delighted to announce that VivoPower is set to become our partner as we extend the geographical reach of our highly reliable and future-proofed EV rapid charging solutions. VivoPower’s integrated focus on turnkey solutions complements our own objectives; which are to ensure all customers are supported with full product life-cycle services to ensure uptime and availability of critical charging infrastructure.”

To read our full press release, and to keep up with all of VivoPower’s releases, visit our Press Releases page.

About VivoPower

VivoPower is an award-winning global sustainable energy solutions B Corporation company focused on electric solutions for customised and ruggedised fleet applications, battery and microgrids, solar and critical power technology, and services. The Company’s core purpose is to provide its customers with turnkey decarbonisation solutions that enable them to move toward net-zero carbon status. VivoPower has operations and personnel in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates.

About Vital EV

Vital EV is the UK market leader in the sales, service, and rental of Kempower (DC) rapid charging solutions. Its vision is to be the most trusted service provider within the EV charging sector by setting world-class customer service benchmarks and transforming customer expectations with honesty, integrity, and passion. Part of the Vital Group of companies, the business is led by a dynamic, innovative, and experienced management team. With a specialist understanding of power engineering and the automotive sector, it enjoys a successful track-record in delivering large-scale and technically complex project installations to an ever-growing customer base of EV users.

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VIVOPOWER, ACCÈS SHOWCASE TEMBO ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE SOLUTIONS AT CIM MTL23

The VivoPower team joined our partners from Accès for the Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM|ICM) Convention + EXPO 2023 in Montreal.

CIM MTL23 is Canada’s premier mining trade show, attended by thousands of professionals from all over the world. More than 450 companies gathered to showcase the latest developments in mining equipment, tools, technology, services, and products. The three-day event featured panel discussions on important subjects such as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and sustainability. 

For our part, we had the honour of sharing a booth with the Accès team. This gave us the opportunity to connect with industry members and present Tembo’s electrified vehicle solutions to attendees.

In 2021, VivoPower and Accès announced a definitive agreement for Accès to purchase 1,675 Tembo EUV conversion kits over the next 5 years.

For more News & Insights, stay tuned to the Tembo e-LV website. 

VivoPower, Tembo host top-class Drive Days in UAE

VivoPower and Tembo e-LV, the global leader in EV conversion kits for utility vehicle fleets, hosted top-class Drive Days in the Al Wadi Desert Nature Reserve, Unit, to demonstrate the performance of our electrified LandCruiser to partners and clients.

Guests were able to inspect and test drive our Electric Utility Vehicle (EUV) in a desert environment. This was a real test for our EUV and, as usual, it passed comfortably.

“Heel erg bedankt” to the team back in Eindhoven for logistics and online support pre-drive day. Many thanks as well to Santiago Tenorio-Garcés, Matthew Nestor, and Daniel Boardman for organising successful drive days and brilliantly representing the Tembo team led by VivoPower’s CEO, Kevin Chin.

For more News & Insights, stay tuned to the Tembo website.

Tembo, Evolution host exciting Drive Day in Brisbane

Tembo e-LV, the global leader in EV conversion kits for utility vehicle fleets, and Evolution Group Holdings Limited, the leading traffic, civil, and fleet management company for the road infrastructure sector in Australia and NZ, hosted an exciting Drive Day in Brisbane at the RACQ Mt Cotton Testing Facility to showcase an electrified LandCruiser to Australia-based partners and clients.

After an information session and safety briefing, guests were able to test drive Tembo’s Electric Utility Vehicle (EUV), first on a road circuit, and then on a challenging 4x4 trail circuit! Both Evolution and Tembo teams had many conversations with partners and clients, several of which are already bearing fruit with specific commercial opportunities.

Many thanks to the team at Evolution, especially Andrew Baxter, Nick van Pooss, Grant Reid, Daniel Hopkins, and Rhys Attwood for meticulously coordinating logistics prior to, and during the Drive Day, truly making it a success.

On the Tembo and VivoPower side, thank you to Phil Barker for explaining vehicle performance specs and answering all technical client queries on the day, to the team back at base in Eindhoven for their continuous online support, as well as Michael Hui, Eduardo Nebot, and Tony Culleton for brilliantly representing the company and engaging with attendees.

For more News & Insights, stay tuned to the Tembo website.