Daewoo Express is set to revolutionize inter-city transport services in Pakistan with the introduction of the country’s first Electric Vehicles (EVs) based service.
Daewoo Express plans to launch 200 electric buses within the next couple of years, along with 1000 EV rickshaws for Karachi and Lahore, as reported by Business Recorder.
Sheriar Hassan, the General Manager at Daewoo Express, stated that aside from providing cutting-edge transport technology, the initiative aims to improve Air Quality Index (AQI) levels through the adoption of green technology. Daewoo Express is seeking funding from an Asia-based development agency, with plans to secure multi-million dollar financing for the projects by January-February 2024.
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If the plans unfold as intended, electric buses could be operational on the roads by the summer of the following year.
The buses will primarily operate on short routes with a maximum distance of 225 kilometers to avoid inconveniencing passengers with frequent charging stops on longer routes. Seventeen short routes, including Karachi to Hyderabad, Peshawar to Rawalpindi, and Lahore to Faisalabad, are among those selected for the electric buses.
Regarding fares, the General Manager mentioned that certainty is challenging due to fluctuating electricity prices. Charging stations will be installed at all terminals to support the EVs. The choice of the bus manufacturer remains undecided, with Daewoo in communication with three to four Chinese manufacturers. The company is open to entering the electric bus manufacturing business if the project proves successful.
Daewoo Express is also planning to launch an Electric rickshaw ride-hailing service in Karachi and Lahore. An MoU has been signed with Sazgar Engineering for the production of 1,000 electric rickshaws. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and other financing agencies are expected to contribute around $24 million to the project, according to a government source. The Ministry of Climate Change has expressed approval for the project, emphasizing the reduction of pollution. However, the ministry has recommended the use of renewable energy sources for charging electric buses instead of conventional electricity.
