After an alarming ratio of vehicular emissions in the ambient air pollution across the country, the government has drafted Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy to steer a new era of green development by promoting electric cars. According to information, the EV policy draft has already been sent to the Federal Cabinet for approval.
Related: Government Plans to Set up SEZ for Electric Vehicles in Kamra
The number of conventional gasoline vehicles in Pakistan is increasing at a worrying pace. In 2018 in Karachi alone, over a thousand new vehicles were hitting the roads every day. Karachi already has an estimated 3.3 million vehicles on its roads already. Commenting on the ever-increasing harmful emissions, Director General Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency Farzana Altaf Shah while talking to APP said:
“Around 45% of air pollution comprises vehicular emissions which generated particulate matter of 2.5 microns causing serious health issues mainly respiratory diseases.”
Thus the Ministry of Climate Change has worked out a comprehensive and inclusive EV policy with detailed stakeholder deliberations to kick start a new industry with the aim to reduce air pollution due to vehicular emissions and the reducing the burden of fuel on the country’s imports bill.
Related: Ministry Planning to Allow Duty-Free Import of Electric Vehicles
According to Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam, electric vehicles will have positive impact on air pollution, fuel import bill and will save two-thirds of the cost of the transportation.
“Our goal is to first introduce 2-wheeler and 3-wheeler electric vehicles mainly rickshaw and motorbikes. We have set a target to convert 30% of the country’s transport on electric vehicles by 2030.”
Amin Aslam added that initially, a 2-wheeler model was made at a cost of Rs 65,000 by a local industrialist in Lahore, however a more sustainable and inexpensive model was required. At present, a successful conversion of a 2-wheeler bike was carried out with just Rs 20,000 which was encouraging to introduce electric vehicles in the country.
Related: Advantages of Electric Vehicles
The sources within the Ministry of Climate Change revealed that the point of inflexion for electric vehicles was around 2023 to 2025 after which it would be easier to introduce electric cars with affordable prices other than two and three-wheelers. Amin Aslam further said:
“We have the vision to make Pakistan an exporting hub of electric vehicles globally other than an indigenous electric cars manufacturer. We will try to invite global companies to chip in and take advantage of Pakistan’s increasing potential of electric vehicles’ growth.”
Recently, a local motorbike manufacturing plant in Sahiwal had produced inexpensive electric motorbike that has the same design of 2-wheelers developed by Japanese industries available in the market. Reportedly, the average maintenance cost of this bike is one-eighth of the gasoline run motorbike. It has no smoke and sound which makes it completely eco-friendly as well.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
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