PM pushes faster EV adoption, targets 30% electric vehicle share in five years

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed relevant authorities to accelerate ongoing efforts to promote electric vehicles (EVs), stressing that rapid electrification of the transport sector is critical to reducing fuel import costs and strengthening national energy security.

Chairing a review meeting on electric mobility, the premier emphasized that initiatives already underway to expand EV adoption should be implemented at a faster pace in light of evolving regional challenges and future energy requirements.

During the briefing, officials informed the meeting that the government is working toward a target of converting 30 percent of vehicles in the country to electric power within the next five years, a transition expected to deliver fuel savings of up to $4.5 billion.

Authorities also reported steady progress on the regulatory and infrastructure front. A total of 72 manufacturing certificates have so far been issued for electric motorcycles and rickshaws, along with four certificates for electric vehicles, while 123 applications have been received for the establishment of EV charging stations nationwide.

In parallel, the government is preparing a facilitation scheme under which public sector employees up to Grade 16 will be offered electric motorcycles on easy instalment terms to encourage early adoption among salaried workers.

The prime minister further directed that subsidies provided under the National Electric Vehicle Policy for low-income individuals purchasing electric motorcycles must be administered with full transparency, and instructed officials to expedite implementation of the programme.