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Featured Islamabad to Become the Region’s First City With All-Electric Public Transport

313ghazi

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On Tuesday, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Capital Development Authority. In the interest of making Islamabad the first city in Pakistan to adopt an all-electric mode of public transport within the next 3 to 5 years, with the intent to contain the harmful gas emissions and aid the economy by saving millions in fuel consumption.


In his conversation with the media, Fawad Chaudhry shared that the initial plan is to roll out 30 electric buses across Islamabad, which will serve 48,000 and save up to 30 barrels of fuel, saving up to Rs. 510 million worth of fuel expenses on an annual basis.

He further added that conventional fuel-based transport is responsible for about 25% of global warming, which necessitates the shift to a more environmentally friendly means of transport.

Fawad Chaudhry also highlighted that in order to observe a noticeable difference in the rate of emissions in a particular region, at least 40% percent of the public transport in that region must go all-electric in the 1st decade of the adaptation.


He reminded the media that the government is already in active pursuit of the said paradigm shift, having signed an agreement with Skywell Automobile to import 120 electric buses to Pakistan before the end of 2020.


Minister Chaudhry added that as a part of the said agreement, the said automaker will set up a production plant in the country to begin locally assembly of the buses within the next 2 to 3 years. He also added that the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) in partnership with a Swedish automaker, will be introducing specially designed 3-wheeled EVs for women.

 
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I'm personally very happy about this. A major difference between Pakistan and developed countries is the amount of pollution in the air. If in 10 years we can turn all urban buses, motorbikes and rickshaws electric - we'd see a massive improvement.

Also I think after that point it'd help to introduce pollution charges where non electric vehicles of this type in urban environments would be charged a fee for entering cities, based on number plate recognition. This fee would be valid for anyone living in an urban setting.

Also we need to implement the British style MOT. It's an annual test to check if a vehicle is fit for the road. It checks lights, brakes, tyres, steering, structural integrity of the vehicle. It also checks emissions. Vehicles with unacceptable emission levels are not allowed on the roads. Any vehicle caught without a valid test certificate is fined. If you can afford to buy a car, you can afford to maintain it.
 
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On Tuesday, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Capital Development Authority. In the interest of making Islamabad the first city in Pakistan to adopt an all-electric mode of public transport within the next 3 to 5 years, with the intent to contain the harmful gas emissions and aid the economy by saving millions in fuel consumption.


In his conversation with the media, Fawad Chaudhry shared that the initial plan is to roll out 30 electric buses across Islamabad, which will serve 48,000 and save up to 30 barrels of fuel, saving up to Rs. 510 million worth of fuel expenses on an annual basis.

He further added that conventional fuel-based transport is responsible for about 25% of global warming, which necessitates the shift to a more environmentally friendly means of transport.

Fawad Chaudhry also highlighted that in order to observe a noticeable difference in the rate of emissions in a particular region, at least 40% percent of the public transport in that region must go all-electric in the 1st decade of the adaptation.


He reminded the media that the government is already in active pursuit of the said paradigm shift, having signed an agreement with Skywell Automobile to import 120 electric buses to Pakistan before the end of 2020.


Minister Chaudhry added that as a part of the said agreement, the said automaker will set up a production plant in the country to begin locally assembly of the buses within the next 2 to 3 years. He also added that the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) in partnership with a Swedish automaker, will be introducing specially designed 3-wheeled EVs for women.


Islamabad doesn't have any decent transport apart from metro bus, atleast provide Islamabad with something solid. We have heared electric buses, trams, metro trains etc etc for decades and got only toyota hiace which are like a ride in hell
 
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I'm personally very happy about this. A major difference between Pakistan and developed countries is the amount of pollution in the air. If in 10 years we can turn all urban buses, motorbikes and rickshaws electric - we'd see a massive improvement.

Also I think after that point it'd help to introduce pollution charges where non electric vehicles of this type in urban environments would be charged a fee for entering cities, based on number plate recognition. This fee would be valid for anyone living in an urban setting.

Also we need to implement the British style MOT. It's an annual test to check if a vehicle is fit for the road. It checks lights, brakes, tyres, steering, structural integrity of the vehicle. It also checks emissions. Vehicles with unacceptable emission levels are not allowed on the roads. Any vehicle caught without a valid test certificate is fined. If you can afford to buy a car, you can afford to maintain it.
It’s a nice goal, and yes I agree, coming home from abroad the difference is stark. Last time as the plane landed in Islamabad, we all remarked how different the sky looks, and how poor visibility is. Hiking up Margalla hills, one expects the view from Monal seen in photographs, all I saw last I went were only the tallest and most prominent features, the rest was obscured by a thick cloud of smog. That too in Islamabad of all cities. Landing back in the UK, first stark contrast is seeing a blue sky owing to less air pollution.

Anyway, I think public transport projects really need a big increase, metrobuses are just a start, we need rail, light rail, subways etc. With or without electrification, all of these projects would in their own reduce traffic and air pollution. Then we can of course prioritise electric public transport preferences.
 
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It’s a nice goal, and yes I agree, coming home from abroad the difference is stark. Last time as the plane landed in Islamabad, we all remarked how different the sky looks, and how poor visibility is. Hiking up Margalla hills, one expects the view from Monal seen in photographs, all I saw last I went were only the tallest and most prominent features, the rest was obscured by a thick cloud of smog. That too in Islamabad of all cities. Landing back in the UK, first stark contrast is seeing a blue sky owing to less air pollution.

Anyway, I think public transport projects really need a big increase, metrobuses are just a start, we need rail, light rail, subways etc. With or without electrification, all of these projects would in their own reduce traffic and air pollution. Then we can of course prioritise electric public transport preferences.

This is why i'm grateful for the under-industrialisation of rural AJK. The air smells of pine trees (or cow shit) and the stars are in the sky. Sleeping on the roof is amazing (until fajr time when the Azaan gets going and then the sun comes out...lol).
 
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Hope this does happen its a very positive initiative.
 
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