Govt's electric vehicle policy under fire from local industry

LAHORE: Local car manufacturers have expressed ‘shock’ and disappointment at the government’s introduction of the first electric vehicle policy.

A Japanese car manufacturer in Pakistan, while talking to The Express Tribune, said “The approval came as a shock to domestic automobile players whose consent was not sought by government officials on this key issue.”

He further added that local players are in favour of an electric vehicle policy but not at the expense of the domestic industry. 

The federal cabinet approved the electric vehicle policy on Tuesday under which 100,000 cars would be imported over a period of five years. The government earlier shared the vision to convert at least 30% of vehicles into electricity-powered by 2030 and aimed to achieve the target by charging only 1% general sales tax on the import of electric vehicles.

Moreover, registration of such vehicles will be free of cost, which will make them affordable for a large number of people.

“We were informed by government authorities that an electric vehicle policy was under consideration and stakeholders would be consulted before its finalisation,” said Hyundai Nishat Motor Chief Financial Officer Norez Abdullah while talking to The Express Tribune.

He added that the company was a new entrant into the Pakistan market and had invested heavily under the Automotive Industry Development Policy 2016-21.

“Until yet, we have not collected even a single rupee out of our investments,” he said. “The overall scenario of the local automobile industry is not encouraging and the government has introduced a new policy.”

Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (Paapam) Chairman Muhammad Akram said with an active auto development policy in place, the new electric vehicle policy would only create confusion, claimed the report.

Earlier, Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam held a meeting with Indus Motor CEO Ali Asghar Jamali and promised to take all stakeholders on board prior to approval of the policy, the report said.