January 11, 2021 (MLN): K-Electric Limited (KE) and Shell have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop the first three Electric-Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations across Karachi.
The locations selected for installing 50 kWh Rapid chargers are; the Shell Defence Filling-Station on Khayaban-e-Bahria, Askari Filling Station at Gulshan Town and Mardan Filling Station at Gadap Town.
Over the next 3 to 5 years, Shell and K-Electric will explore the opportunity of additional sites and strategically expand the EV charging network. While SPL will engage in the deployment of charging-station equipment, site preparation, installation and manage its operations; KE will ensure grid enhancement.
General Manager Retail of Shell Pakistan Limited, Taha Magrabi, during the MoU signing ceremony said, “Billions of people rely on transport to get about. There are around 1 billion cars on the world’s roads. This means that the transport sector has a fundamental role to play in helping global efforts to reduce emissions. The government of Pakistan had approved the EV policy to help tackle effects of climate change and offer affordable transport to its people. Playing a key role in this sector, SPL along with KE are keen to support the EV policy and its objectives, with our collaboration.”
K-Electric’s chief strategy officer, Naz Khan, said, “As the world moves towards cleaner modes of transport, KE looks to enable this shift by adding to infrastructure that will support the introduction of EVs across Karachi and Pakistan. With the government announcing a target for 30 percent of all vehicles in the local market to be electric by 2030, KE, with Shell, looks forward to facilitating our customers towards utilising EVs and contributing to long-term environmental sustainability.”
The Federal Cabinet had recently approved the Electric Vehicle policy for 4 wheelers, the salient features of which entailed removal of additional Customs duty and AST on imports of EV cars, only 1% tax on import of EV parts for manufacturers and Registration & annual renewal fee waiver for EVs in ICT.
Other features included 1% sales tax for local made EVs up to 50kwh and light commercial vehicles up to 150 kwh, Duty on import of charging equipment capped at 1% and Duty-free import of plant and machinery for manufacturing of EVs.
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