Korean firm keen to set up EV charging infrastructure in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A company of South Korea, which specializes in manufacturing batteries, has offered Pakistan for setting up charging infrastructure in Pakistan in the wake of ambitious EV policy by the Ministry of Climate Change.

A delegation of Songuo, a Korean battery manufacturer, called on the advisor to the Prime Minister/ Federal Minister on Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam in his office on Wednesday.

Adviser said that EV policy was ready and would be presented to the cabinet in one week’s time. After the approval from the competent forum, policy would bring about opening of new horizons of opportunities not only in the field of transportation and environment but also creating scores of green jobs.

He said that initially Pakistan would need a swappable solution for such vehicles until proper charging infrastructure was developed. “Pakistan welcomes all companies and offers equal opportunities for everyone to invest in EV market of Pakistan”, he said.

“Pakistan’s market is ripe for investment in EV and this is the high time that leading companies should come up with manufacturing”.

He also made it clear that only local manufactures will benefit from the policy. Delegation of Sanguo Motors briefed the Minister regarding their product line and business model.

They also briefed that their company was in negotiations with local companies for JV in order to manufacture sophisticated batteries locally and then export them after catering local demand. Delegation also told that their company was in partnership with some of the leading global automakers and was manufacturing finest quality batteries.

They also told that their company was not compromising on quality. Federal Minister welcomed the offer and told that swappable batteries were the suitable option for Pakistani market especially for three wheelers and slow moving vehicles until charging infrastructure was established.

Delegation told that they would also like to help Pakistani government in establishing standards for this newly developed technology.

In another meeting, ambassador of Qatar, who called on adviser to the Prime Minister, appreciated government of Pakistan’s policy of banning single use plastic bags in Islamabad.

He said that single use plastic bags were the major threat to global environment especially for the aquatic ecosystem. He also pledged to support Government of Pakistan’s green initiatives at international fora particularly at United Nations next month.

Federal Minster apprised the Ambassador about Pakistan’s initiative of Ecosystem Restoration Fund, which would be set up soon by a seed money of $50.

Ambassador appreciated all the green initiatives of the government of Pakistan and pledged support on the behalf of his government. He also apprised the actions taken by the Qatar government in the field of environment and ecosystem.