ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has agreed to establish vehicle charging units at the petrol pumps as the number of electric vehicles in the city is increasing.

A meeting on the Electric Vehicle policy was held in the Ministry of Industries and Production, which chaired by the industries minister Rana Tanvir Hussain and was attended by stakeholders including the Capital Development Authority.

The meeting noted that the number of electric vehicles on the roads of Islamabad are expected to increase significantly by the end of 2025 in the wake of new government policies.

The officials of the CDA acknowledged that the federal capital receives a large number of vehicles from other parts of the country on regular basis -– some people arrive in connection with their official or business engagements, whereas Islamabad was also a key transit city for those moving to Galiat.

The minister Rana Tanveer Hussain stressed the need for for promoting eco-friendly transport in the country especially in Islamabad. The meeting was informed that there were around 137 petrol pumps in federal capital, and the CDA has assured that directives will be issued to the pumps in the Islamabad city to install EV charging units.

The minister appreciated the efforts of CDA and added that in line with the prime minister’s vision, Islamabad will become a model city with widespread use of electric vehicles.

He also announced that the top 120 Federal Board students across the country would receive free electric bikes, while 39,000 electric bikes and 1,900 electric rickshaws would be provided on subsidised loans across Pakistan.

The meeting reviewed the progress on the construction of 40 charging stations along motorways and highways.

The meeting noted that Electric Vehicles Policy 2025 will be launched soon, that will further strengthen the country’s eco-friendly transport system.

Currently a limited number of EVs were plying on the country’s roads, but the number is set to jump significantly with the focus of new entrants on the EVs.

Though the Japanese automakers have been dominating the auto sector of Pakistan for decades, they have yet to fully enter the market.

A number of Chinese auto makers including the global giant – the BYD has entered the Pakistani market in collaboration with Mega Motor Company (MMC)—a subsidiary of the Hub Power Company Limited (Hubco). The BYD plans to set up a manufacturing plant near Karachi with an annual capacity of 50,000 units with an investment of around $150 million.

Besides, Regal Automobiles Industries Limited has introduced Pakistan’s first locally assembled electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), at its Lahore facility.

Meanwhile, Dewan Farooque Motors Limited recently informed the Pakistan Stock Exchange about the assembly of over 100 EVs that have been handed over to the customers. There are promising prospects of EV manufacturing in Pakistan as high import tariffs imposed by the US and other countries have prompted Chinese EV manufacturers to explore new markets, including Pakistan.

However, sudden policy shifts and unmet government commitments could make the potential investors hesitant.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2024