Pakistan launches EV policy to promote clean transport

ISLAMABAD, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Thursday launched its National Electric Vehicle Policy 2025-30, aiming to promote clean transportation, reduce fuel imports, and boost local manufacturing, the Ministry of Industries and Production said.

Speaking at the launch event, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan called the policy a "historic and transformative step" towards environmental, energy, and industrial reforms.

Under the new policy, Pakistan targets 30 percent of all new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030. This shift is expected to save 2.07 billion liters of fuel annually, reduce carbon emissions by 4.5 million tons, and save nearly 1 billion U.S. dollars in foreign exchange, according to government estimates.

To support this transition, the government has allocated an initial subsidy of 9 billion Pakistani rupees (approximately 32 million dollars) for fiscal year 2025-26, benefiting over 116,000 electric bikes and more than 3,000 electric rickshaws.

Notably, 25 percent of the subsidy is reserved for women to ensure inclusive and safe mobility.

The policy also outlines plans for 40 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along national motorways, battery swapping systems, and integration of EV charging points into building codes.

Support packages for local manufacturers and small and medium enterprises are included to strengthen domestic production, which already accounts for over 90 percent of parts for two- and three-wheelers.

Officials say the policy could yield savings of around 800 billion Pakistani rupees (2.82 billion dollars) over the next 25 years and generate revenue through carbon credits.

"This policy is a decisive move towards clean energy, sustainable transport, and industrial development," Khan said, urging public and private sector cooperation to realize the country's clean mobility goals. ■