Pakistan’s e-bike rollout held back by regulatory gaps, NA panel told 

The sub-committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Industries, chaired by Dr Mehreen Bhutto, was informed on Monday that Pakistan’s shift towards e-bikes is being held back by fragmented oversight, weak battery regulation and the absence of a dedicated authority for the sector and the responsibility for electric two-wheelers is divided among several ministries and departments.

Manufacturing licences are issued by the Engineering Development Board under the Ministry of Industries and Production, while the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) under the Ministry of Science and Technology certifies quality standards for electric motorcycles and batteries.

Charging infrastructure is expected to be developed by the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority under the Ministry of Energy, while provincial authorities regulate vehicles operating on roads.

Officials said almost all lithium-ion batteries are imported, while used units often enter Pakistan as scrap under the jurisdiction of the Customs Department and the Ministry of Commerce.

Dr Bhutto raised concerns that some manufacturers were installing low-quality batteries that became unusable within two to three years, leaving consumers to pay as much as Rs90,000 for replacements.

Representing electric motorcycle manufacturers, Dr Muhammad Amjad said EDB licences did not specifically require lithium-ion batteries, allowing some companies to use cheaper lead-acid dry batteries.

He also said high import duties on lithium-ion batteries had encouraged a grey market in which unlicensed operators refurbished cells imported as scrap and sold them without registration.

Another manufacturer, Shahid Bajwa, said the industry lacked a clear mechanism to promote localisation of parts and manufacturing. He also questioned where companies could report illegal battery producers.

Participants called on the PSQCA to strengthen its technical capacity and establish dedicated laboratories for testing lithium batteries.

Dr Bhutto asked stakeholders to submit recommendations, noting that battery and component failures in electric two-wheelers created safety risks not associated with conventional petrol motorcycles.

Engineering Development Board Chief Executive Officer Hammad Mansoor told the committee that a new battery policy was being finalised and was expected to address many of the issues raised during the meeting.