Lucky Motor Corporation (LMC) Chief Executive Mohammad Faisal said that if hybrids made up 25–30% of total vehicle sales, annual fuel savings could multiply significantly.
More than 30,000 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have been added to Pakistan’s roads in the past two years, saving an estimated 30 million litres of fuel and reducing the oil import bill by nearly $27 million.
Pakistan’s automobile market averages 180,000–200,000 units per year, with hybrids now capturing more than half of the SUV segment during the first quarter of FY26.
Since 2021, 13 new electrified models have entered the market, including nine hybrids from Japanese, Korean, and Chinese assemblers. Faisal said consumer preference for HEVs has grown due to lower maintenance costs, consistent fuel efficiency, and stronger resale value compared to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).
He said major automakers have invested heavily in local hybrid production, with LMC achieving 35% localisation in its Sportage and Picanto models. Smaller battery packs, he noted, make hybrids less import-dependent than BEVs and PHEVs.
Faisal described hybrids as an affordable, scalable solution for Pakistan, where full electric adoption faces hurdles such as high costs, limited charging infrastructure, and frequent power outages. He added that HEVs are self-charging, capable of operating in rural areas, and resilient in conditions such as urban flooding.
Globally, around 30% of ride-hailing fleets in Asia use hybrid vehicles, he said, underscoring their cost efficiency and reliability. According to LMC, hybrids can cut carbon emissions by up to 40% compared to petrol-powered cars and require less fiscal support than BEVs, which depend on higher tax exemptions.
Faisal said hybrids present a realistic path toward lower emissions and reduced oil imports while easing pressure on Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves.
