ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam Thursday said Karachi based automobile manufacturers had developed successful Electric Vehicle (EV) conversion kits that would help the country save $2 billion in oil import bills.
The adviser was addressing a press conference along with Pakistan Electric Vehicles and Parts Manufacturers and Traders Association (PEVPMTA) members here.
He said: “Electric Vehicle Policy is going to boost battery manufacturing industry in the country as the charged vehicles completely run on lithium batteries. China is manufacturing 90 percent of the world’s technology comprising lithium on batteries and Pakistan will definitely benefit from their experience in this regard.”
Amin told that during his recent visit to Karachi it was encouraging to know that the auto-manufacturers had successfully developed conversion kits for fuel run vehicles. “A motorcycle can be converted for Rs 20,000 to Rs 35,000 and the price for retrofitting of three wheeler rickshaws and cars varies from vehicle to vehicle,” he added.
The adviser highlighted that there were four main reasons behind adopting the electric vehicle policy that had been approved by the federal cabinet.
“First, transport emissions comprise 40 percent of our total air pollution where electric vehicles are going to reduce it to 70 percent. Second, electric vehicles are going to provide cheap transport as its expenditure cost will be 30 percent less than fuel based automobiles. Third, Pakistan’s import is largely occupied by oil bill as successful conversion on electric vehicles would help the country save US$ 2 billion and lastly, electric vehicles are going to bring a new revolution for eco-friendly industrial development which is necessary for the country to beat climate change,” he said.
Amin said the government’s aim was to get 500,000 rickshaws and motorbikes to be converted on electric vehicles including 100,000 cars in the next four years.
He said: “I have discussed with the Japanese Ambassador to collaborate with Pakistan for electric vehicle conversion whereas Japan has vowed to assist us with Honda and Suzuki to shift on electric vehicles. In India, Suzuki and Honda have jointly developed first electric vehicle which is an encouraging precedent for Pakistan to take advantage from these leading companies.”
The adviser said: “We are negotiating to convert 250 buses on electric technology where 100 buses under Karachi Metro would have conversion on electric batteries where BRT Peshawar would get electric hybrid cars.”
Electric Vehicle policy would help in establishing electric motorbike and rickshaw manufacturing industries as in Lahore a prototype model of two-wheeler electric motorbike had been developed successfully. “Our aim is to convert 30 percent of the total transport over electric vehicles by 2030,” said Malik Amin Aslam.
But has Govt given o thought on amount of electric power consumed by those electric vehicles? Suppose there are 1 million EV in Pakistan and each requires 500 KW electricity for each charging. From where that electricity would come. Already پاکستان peak summer electricity gap is 5000 MW. Adding more load would add to the power shortage and load shedding. Govt should take into considerations all possible factors before embarking on excessive electric vehicle policy
The Press Conference of the Honorable Advisor PEVPMTA is a testament to Pakistan just 2 weeks from now at the Press Club, the technologists, engineers, technocrats, media, NED Engineering University, Chapters of Chamber Commerce, Karachi the Federation, the Intl., Pakistan chapter etc. unanimously appreciated for the urgent attention by the Advisor priorities, with farts surrounding KPC premises after tea aroma of farts reminds to the Clean Air Objectives of PEVPMTA . Suggest please give policy guideline for Photo Voltaic PV solar film with specs., of solar radiation output during sunshine on the specs of Toyota Prius applied in Japan.
Other hybrid model is with Lithium Ion battery high concentration battery costs, the cost of the DC Invertor,
Climate Change necessiated. Discussions are held worldwide from the US major hybrid kit for EV which will be charged by PV Solar film on the roof for complete EV Model.
Please indicate a clear policy guideline for the availability of Lithium Ion batteries tax free in the local markets in Karachi for motor cycle, car, trucks, buses. Please announce Lithium Ion batteries for SWVL, Airlift and others in Karachi.