The importance of transitioning to clean transportation was emphasized at a workshop held in Karachi on the implementation of Pakistan’s electric vehicle policy.

The meeting, attended by Additional Secretary Asif Saeed Lughmani and Engineering Development Board (EDB) CEO Khudabaksh Rind, focused on the policy’s scope and the benefits of electric mobility.

Lughmani stressed the urgency of reducing Pakistan’s reliance on foreign oil and promoting sustainable transportation. He argued that excessive petroleum consumption is environmentally damaging and economically unsustainable.

As Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change, this strategy represents a significant step towards environmental protection and alternative energy adoption. Under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive, Lughmani is touring provinces to build consensus and collaboration. Private sector engagement is also underway, with 61 licenses issued for local NEV manufacturing.

The policy envisions 90% local production, fostering technical expertise and creating over 15,000 jobs nationwide.

Rind, highlighting the economic and technical promise of the NEV sector, assured EDB’s full support for its development.

The NEV Policy 2030 offers significant financial incentives: subsidies of Rs. 65,000 for electric two-wheelers, Rs. 400,000 for three-wheelers, and Rs. 150,000 for four-wheelers.

The State Bank of Pakistan’s Green Auto Financing scheme will further facilitate EV purchases.

Additional benefits include free NEV registration and toll tax exemption. Vision 2030 targets 30% electric vehicles nationwide, supported by 3,000 charging stations. These initiatives are expected to save $1 billion and two billion liters of fuel annually.