Two of top-ranking German companies, Audi in collaboration with Siemens launched Pakistan’s first and only ultra-rapid charging DC station at the Libra CNG station, which is now also known as Libra Charging Hub, in Saddar Karachi. Equipped with Siemens’ SICHARGE D series chargers, the super-fast EV charging station will be capable of charging at speeds of up to 160kW.
Abdul Haseeb Khan, the CEO of Libra Energy Solutions in his welcome address stated that during 1990s his father Abdul Sami Khan started the first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station in Karachi and his family has been in the oil business for the last 5 decades now. Now he is the first one to bring in an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station. Abdul Haseeb khan also requested the government in his address for a subsidy to reduce the cost of charging electric vehicles. He also called for electric pole-mounted transformers (PMTs) along highways to make it possible for them install more such charging stations there. “That way you will be able to easily drive your EV from here to Murree,” he pointed out.
Markus Stohmeier, chef of Siemens-Pakistan appreciated the initiative saying that Karachi has shown that it is at the forefront of integrating technology and he has great respect for Libra Energy’s start up for taking the challenges of technology in changing times, by first stepping into territory back in the 1990swith CNG and now with the charging hub. Markus Strohmeier further explained about the technology which represents the first rapid charger in Pakistan that will be capable of charging bigger electric cars such as the Audi e-tron in just 15 minutes and for smaller cars, it will take a mere four or five minutes. He further pointed out that there is a great deal of vacant land which can be utilized for turning into solar farms and to see the cars move from city to city it would be a small investment .The executive highlighted the need for utilizing unoccupied lands and equipping highways with charging stations in order to facilitate the EV revolution in Pakistan.
Karachi Administrator, Barrister Murtaza thanked Abdul Sami Khan on this occasion to be thoughtful enough to have brought CNG 30 years ago and still adapting to the changing times by turning his CNG station into charging hub. “I also privately use an EV and want to tell you that those who have moved to these vehicles have cut all their fuel costs. In 2022, fuel prices are on an all-time high. And these vehicles are also environment friendly as you always have renewable energy thanks to the sun and the wind,” he said. Barrister Murtaza also made an open offer of speaking to federal government as they are also looking for convenient economical solutions for cutting the cost. He said that KMC is with Abdul Sami Khan for any kind of support and we will convince other petrol pumps and gas stations to adapt to this technology as EVs can also help save the environment. He also suggested that several parks under KMC can also be turned into solar parks and they are already doing this in Kidney Hill and Safari Park.
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At last, Germany’s Ambassador to Pakistan Hon Bernhard Schlagheck said “The future is electric. We are learning that more and more today in times of climate change and global warming. However, electro-based mobility also requires a corresponding infrastructure. I am pleased that another step in this direction is being taken here.” He expressed his happiness at being present at the inauguration of a development that represented German innovation.
