EV conference calls for phasing out fossil fuels to tackle climate crisis

KARACHI: The inaugural Pakistan electric vehicle (EV) conference, themed ‘Accelerating the Transition to a Sustainable Future’, was held in Karachi on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in promoting sustainable transportation in the country.

Organised by the Climate Action Centre (CAC), the event brought together diverse stakeholders from government, industry, academia and finance. It concluded with a strong call to phase out fossil fuel use in traffic, underscoring the urgent need for climate action.

The conference sought to spark dialogue among key players in the EV ecosystem, addressing industry challenges and identifying opportunities for growth and collaboration. A key focus was the draft New Energy Vehicle Policy 2025 and the creation of an EV industry alliance to strengthen the sector. The event, part of a two-phase initiative, will continue in Lahore in February 2025 to build upon the discussions initiated in Karachi.

Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman, addressing as chief guest, stressed the pivotal role of civil society in combating climate change and the need for transformational policies. “Civil society is central and pivotal in addressing climate change. Without its engagement, there is no meaningful action,” she said. Rehman also talked about the importance of making EVs affordable and developing local manufacturing to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Two-panel discussions highlighted the event. The first panel, moderated by Dr Aazir Khan of the University of Lahore, focused on finance and policy. Panellists included Dr Naveed Arshad from LUMS Energy Institute, Rabeel Warraich of Sarmayacar, Muhammad Atif Hanif from Al Baraka Bank, and Zafar Masud from the Bank of Punjab. Discussions revolved around unlocking private finance for decarbonisation, addressing provincial capacity issues, and accessing international climate funding. Masud pointed out that provinces face significant hurdles in implementing policies despite having resources.

The second panel, moderated by Bilal Hussain of Invest2Innovate, focused on industry and innovation. Panellists included Hasan Qureshi of inDrive, Kashif Riaz of DFML, Sadullah Ejaz of Atlas Honda and Sheikh Osama Nadeem of E-Turbo Motors. Discussions centred on overcoming barriers to scaling the EV industry and fostering innovation in local manufacturing.

Key takeaways included the need for affordability in EV adoption and policies tailored to Pakistan’s unique challenges. Senator Rehman stressed, “Smart slogans are not enough; we need realistic, accelerated policies.” The importance of establishing a local EV manufacturing base to reduce reliance on imports was a recurring theme. Panellists also highlighted inefficiencies in accessing international climate funds, with Rabeel Warraich citing a two-year struggle to secure $15 million from the Green Climate Fund. Yasir Husain, founder of CAC and the conference’s chief organiser, stressed the need to end fossil fuel use. “Groups like the [CAC] have an important role to play in advocating for and facilitating this transition,” he said. The conference concluded with a call to action for policymakers, industry leaders and civil society to address the climate crisis collaboratively. As the country grapples with worsening air quality and the looming smog season, Senator Rehman warned, “Pakistan has the fifth-largest population in the world. As traffic doubles, the air will become unbreathable unless action is taken now.”The Pakistan Electric Vehicle Conference is gearing up for its next phase in Lahore.