Mazaj News (Web Desk) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for speeding up initiatives aimed at expanding the use of electric vehicles (EVs) across the country.
He made these remarks while presiding over a review meeting focused on the promotion of EVs, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The prime minister said that, given the current regional circumstances and future needs, increasing the use of electric vehicles would help reduce Pakistan’s fuel import bill while also playing an important role in environmental protection and strengthening energy security.
He also instructed that complete transparency be maintained in the subsidy programme for electric motorcycles provided to low-income groups under the National Electric Vehicle Policy.
Officials briefed the meeting on ongoing efforts to expand the EV sector nationwide. It was shared that 72 certifications have been issued for manufacturing electric motorcycles and rickshaws, while four certificates have been granted for electric vehicle production.
The meeting was further informed that 123 applications have been received for setting up EV charging stations across the country.
Planning is also underway to convert 30 percent of vehicles in Pakistan to electric systems, a shift expected to save around $4.5 billion in fuel costs, according to the briefing.
Additionally, it was noted that electric motorcycles will be offered to government employees in Grade 16 on easy installment plans.
Earlier in January, the government introduced the Pakistan Accelerated Vehicle Electrification (PAVE) scheme to speed up the transition toward clean and affordable transport, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and support the growth of the local electric vehicle industry.