Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed that transport in the country be gradually shifted to electric vehicles.

The premier chaired a meeting on energy security, where he stressed that “energy security had become an important aspect of the country’s overall future planning,” according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)

Taking note of the global energy crisis in the wake of the Iran war, PM Shehbaz said that due to the government’s “timely steps, an energy crisis has been averted”.

The prime minister told the meeting that to secure the country’s future energy needs, “work was underway to maintain strategic crude oil reserves”.

As part of the energy security plan, the premier further stated that modes of transportation in the country should be gradually shifted to electric vehicles, “for energy conservation and sustainable development”.

He instructed that electric buses and motorcycles should be purchased for government use. The premier also directed the expedited establishment of EV charging stations and the development of a framework “to facilitate the acquisition of batteries for storing excess electricity generated from solar energy”.

“Local production of high-quality storage batteries should be encouraged,” PM Shehbaz told the meeting.

The meeting was further briefed that the National Coordination and Management Council (NCMC) was regularly reviewing the situation and there were adequate petroleum reserves in the country.

“Food security remains stable as well,” the meeting was told. It was further informed that “due to the continuous efforts of oil and gas companies, there has been a rise in the local production”.

PC-I for two grid-level battery storage pilot projects was being prepared, the meeting was told, as per PMO. It further added that domestic solar consumers were being encouraged to install battery storage.

In a meeting held a day earlier, the prime minister said that in view of the prevailing regional situation and future requirements, promoting EVs will not only reduce the fuel import bill but is also extremely important for protecting the environment and energy security.

In January, the government launched the Pakistan Accel­erated Vehicle Elect­rification (PAVE) scheme to accelerate the country’s transition tow­ards clean, affordable and sustainable transportation, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support the growth of domestic electric vehicle manufacturing.