In a significant move to combat severe air pollution and economic pressures, the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) has officially launched a locally developed Electric Vehicle (EV) technology. The innovation, created by technology partner AGECO (Pvt.) Ltd., features conversion kits designed to retrofit conventional gasoline-powered vehicles into fully electric ones.
According to a COMSATS report released today, the initiative, branded ECONOMIA, was unveiled at a ceremony at the COMSATS Secretariat, where the Prime Minister”s Coordinator for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination served as the Chief Guest. The event marked a critical milestone with the first commercial deployment of the technology, as EV-converted rickshaws were formally delivered to M/S Imperial Engineering Company under a recently signed agreement.
This new system provides an economical and scalable method for accelerating the nation”s shift toward clean transportation by transforming existing fuel-consuming engines into eco-friendly electric counterparts.
The ceremony drew considerable high-level attention, attended by Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and diplomats from Ghana, Iran, Malaysia, Palestine, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, and Zimbabwe. Senior officials from various Pakistani government ministries, private sector leaders, and representatives from international organizations also witnessed the launch.
In her address, the Chief Guest highlighted that Pakistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing a formidable challenge from air pollution in its major cities, which directly impacts public health and economic activity. She commended the COMSATS EV initiative for its potential to positively influence the nation”s health, environment, and economy.
Amb. Dr. M. Nafees Zakaria, the Executive Director of COMSATS, stated that EVs offer a solution to environmental degradation in countries like Pakistan, where the transport sector annually adds 52.8 million metric tons of CO2 to the atmosphere. He noted that a staggering 70% of this pollution is attributed to 32 million two-wheeled vehicles.
Dr. Zakaria emphasized that indigenous EV development can help the country decrease its import bill, provide import substitution to ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves, improve the national health index, and generate new employment opportunities, all while contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Mr. Aslam Azad, the CEO of AGECO, acknowledged the Executive Director”s steadfast support in achieving this technological milestone, thanking Amb. Zakaria and COMSATS for their crucial backing.
The introduction of retrofitted EVs is anticipated to create new economic avenues, lower operational expenditures for vehicle owners, and contribute to cleaner air quality in densely populated urban centers. COMSATS plans to extend similar collaborative ventures with industry partners across its Member States to promote the wider adoption of green technologies in the Global South.