KARACHI: Libra Charging Hub launched Karachi’s first electric vehicle charging stations on Tuesday, as Pakistan tries to wean itself off oil and save Rs2 billion annually on the alternate energy source.

German Ambassador Hon Bernhard Schlagheck, Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Siemens CEO Markus Strohmeier and Libra Charging Hub CEO Abdul Haseeb Khan launched the station in Saddar.

“This is all new for us,” said Siemens CEO Markus Strohmeier. “We have the fastest charger here and the most innovative technology which we have brought from Germany to Pakistan.”

“We don’t want people to charge their cars in 2 or 3 hours so with this technology an empty car can be recharged in 15 to 20 minutes and that too like an Audi.”

He said that all the highways need EV chargers on solar panels. “And we need to make it accessible for all people,” he added. “There is a lot of empty land in the surroundings of the highway so we are not burdening the grids and are generating clean electricity without damaging the environment.”

Siemens is eyeing people who own land by the highway.

Administrator Murtaza Wahab said that he personally uses an EV which cuts costs. “In 2022 when petrol prices are at an all-time high… in these uncertain times, this solution is cost-effective and environment-friendly.”

He encouraged Libra Charging Hub to find suitable spots in the city to install charging stations where with the private-public partnership EV charging stations can be installed. “We would like to urge experts to come up with suggestions on how we can make sure to pass this through our legal framework,” said Wahab. He asked petrol stations to also think about installing these hubs.

“I am one hundred percent convinced that global warming will increase in future so I would like to urge people to use renewable energy to reduce its effect.” He said that he would talk to the Federal Minister for Communications to suggest charging stations at every 70Kms on highways and motorways.

“The federal government is very receptive right now as they are looking up for different cost-cutting ways to minimize the import bill on petroleum,” said Wahab. “They have also incentivized the use of solar panels.”

KMC will be using solar power at two parks. “Kidney Hill Park and Safari Park are the ones where KMC will install solar panels to run them completely on solar energy,” said Wahab.

“We can use electric PMTs to power up more charging hubs in the future, said Abdul Haseeb Khan, owner and CEO of Libra Charging Hub, while talking to Aaj TV. “This is green fuel”. He encouraged investors and people to consider small vehicles like scooters.

“If the government helps Siemens by providing land off the highway for solar panels to generate electricity for charging hubs, then cheap and reliable electricity could be produced to refuel vehicles.”

According to this technology, an SUV can travel up to 270Kms on one charge and a GT vehicle can cover 400Kms. A single charge takes 15 to 20 minutes.

“This technology is 60% better than traditional fuels used,” said Khan.