Faisalabad: The first public sector e-swapping battery charging station has been established at Faisalabad, offering electric bike users an innovative facility to replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones within a minute.
Divisional Commissioner Faisalabad Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh inaugurated the pilot project under the environment-friendly initiatives of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz to provide modern, affordable and convenient transport solutions while encouraging the use of electric vehicles in the city.
General Manager E-Swap Company Mr Eugene Qi, E-Swap Infrastructure Incharge Muhammad Moazzam, Director General (DG) Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) Muhammad Asif Chaudhry, Additional Commissioners Tanveer Murtaza and Afzal Tarrar, Chief Officer Municipal Corporation Usman Ghani, Administrator FTS Rahat Ali and other senior officers were also present during inaugural ceremony.
Talking to media persons, Divisional Commissioner Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh said that initially two battery swapping cabinet units had been installed to provide charging facility for 24 batteries.
A target had been set to install 50 battery swapping cabinets across Faisalabad by December 2026, he added.
He said that basic objective of the project was to reduce air pollution and provide citizens with an advanced, economical and environment-friendly mode of transportation.
He said that the E-Swap-FUTWS service would enable users to access electric bikes, batteries and all swapping stations by paying only a suitable subscription fee.
He said that the battery swapping facility was more economical and environmentally friendly compared with petrol-based transport.
He explained that the users could avail the service by downloading the E-Swap application from Google Play Store or Apple App Store and entering basic information including identity card details and residential address.
After verification and approval by the company team, the users would be able to pay online subscription fee through EasyPaisa, JazzCash or banking applications, he added.
Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh said that providing citizens a reliable, efficient and accessible battery swapping network was a priority of the administration. Such initiatives would help promote sustainable urban mobility and contribute to a clean environment, he added.
Speaking at the ceremony, General Manager E-Swap Company Mr Eugene Qi and E-Swap Infrastructure Incharge Muhammad Moazzam appreciated the steps being taken by Divisional Commissioner Faisalabad for environmental protection and promotion of modern transport facilities.
Administrator FTS highlighted the objectives and importance of the project, saying the initiative would facilitate electric bike users and encourage adoption of eco-friendly transportation.
During inaugural ceremony, a practical demonstration was also conducted in which a depleted electric bike battery was replaced with a fully charged battery through the swapping system.
Electric bike riders appreciated the initiative and thanked Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz and Divisional Commissioner Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh for introducing the innovative facility in the city.