Pakistan to unveil new electric vehicle policy by November end — minister

People commute on a road in Islamabad on July 11, 2023. (AFP/File)

• Islamabad has increasingly eyed promoting electric vehicles to cut pollution, high energy bill 
• Government to set up 10,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2030, says industries minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will announce its new electric vehicles policy by the end of November, Industries and Production Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain said on Wednesday, as Islamabad eyes eco-friendly transportation to cut down on costly fuel imports and pollution. 
Pakistan’s urban areas exhibit some of the world’s highest levels of air pollution, primarily due to sub-2.5 μm particulate emissions. This issue significantly impairs both the country’s economy as it imports most of its energy needs, and the quality of life of its residents. Road transport is a significant contributor to air pollution as around 23 percent of Pakistan’s greenhouse gas emissions originate from vehicles.
Pakistan approved an ambitious National Electric Vehicles Policy (NEVP) in 2019 with the goal that electric vehicles would comprise 30 percent of all passenger vehicles and heavy-duty truck sales by 2030. It has set an even more ambitious target of electric vehicles comprising 90 percent of all vehicle sales by 2040.
“He [Hussain] said the government would launch the second electric vehicle policy by November 30 to promote eco-friendly transportation,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said. 
The minister was speaking to reporters in Islamabad while attending an exhibition of electric bike models. He highlighted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had allocated around $14.29 million (Rs4 billion) to support his vision of introducing electric vehicles in the country to reduce fuel dependency and decrease carbon emissions.
Hussain said electric three-wheelers manufactured in Pakistan were also being exported to other countries, adding that the government was willing to provide subsidies on electric two-wheelers. The minister also announced the government’s initiative to distribute 100 e-bikes free of cost among high-achieving students.
Hussain said the government planned to transform the transportation landscape by setting up 10,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2030.
“This shift toward eco-friendly transportation is expected to have a positive impact on Pakistan’s environment and economy,” he said. “With the government’s support and private sector investment, the country is poised for a greener future.”
In August, Warren Buffett-backed Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD announced its entry into the country, saying that up to 50 percent of all vehicles bought in Pakistan by 2030 will be electrified in some form in line with global targets. 
Investment company ADM Group also announced in August it would invest up to $250 million for the manufacturing of electric vehicles in Pakistan in a move that will boost technological advancements in the country’s automobile industry and curtail pollution.