KARACHI: Promising better travel facilities for Karachi, the Sindh government conducted on Monday the test run of what it has hailed the country’s first-ever environmentally-friendly electric buses.

These buses are capable of traveling at least 30 kilometers on a single charge and are also equipped with backup batteries. On straight roads, the vehicles can travel over 100 kms. Meanwhile, the batteries can be re-charged from the solar charging stations.

The vehicle is air-conditioned with wifi service, closed-circuit cameras as well emergency stop buttons alongside every aisle seat.

Sindh Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, who inaugurated the service, pointed out that the batteries cannot be charged at EV stations, with new solar charging stations to be set up for these electric buses.

So far, fifty buses have arrived in Karachi.

Memon did not specify when the buses would be available for the public but said that it ‘will happen soon even if it’s delayed by a little while’.

On a question about routes, the minister responded that it was yet to be finalized due to the size of the buses. “As they are bigger, or 12 metres in length - we have to identify routes that they could ply without getting stuck in bottlenecks and narrow roads.

When asked about fare, he said it would be between Rs25-50. However, when reporters pointed out that the same claim was made for the People’s Bus Service which had some of its fare increased to Rs100, he said that it was for longer routes.

“This fare increase could happen on longer routes in the case of electric buses also but rest assured it would be relatively cheaper than other buses plying routes,” he said.

The minister said that the decision to introduce the buses was to help commuters struggling due to the increasing price of petrol and diesel.

It would address the many transportation issues facing the public, he said, adding that the Sindh government wanted to extend the service to the rest of the province.

He said the Sindh government was in talks with Chinese, European and local companies to set up manufacturing plants of electric buses in Karachi, which would reduce the cost.

“These buses cost twice as much as diesel-hybrid buses,” he said while adding that any deals made regarding the project would be made public.

Karachi administrator Murtaza Wahab, who was on the bus, welcomed the environment-friendly initiative which he said would provide a cheaper solution to Karachi’s commuters.

Transport Secretary Abdul Haleem Shaikh, who was also on the bus, said that the battery life is 10 years with a battery running for 90 minutes without recharge.