A program to begin replacing some of the country’s 3.5 million gasoline-powered commuter tricycles with more efficient, environmentally-friendly electric models appears to be finally moving forward with the approach of the end of the program’s bidding period and the arrival on the scene of an experienced Japanese electric vehicle manufacturer. The E-tricycle (or “e-trike”) program was initiated with financing organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in December, 2010 and is being overseen by ADB and the Department of Energy, and aims to distribute about 20,000 e-trikes by the end of 2015.