Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif instructed relevant authorities on Saturday to formulate a detailed financial framework for electric vehicles by November this year and streamline licencing regulations for their manufacture in Pakistan.

While presiding over a meeting in Islamabad, the prime minister stated that essential consultations be held with the finance ministry, the State Bank of Pakistan, all provinces, federal units, and relevant stakeholders concerning the electric vehicles policy.

“The government is prioritising the promotion of electric vehicles in the country,” he said, “these vehicles will not only conserve valuable foreign exchange by reducing imports of petrol and diesel but also offer environmental benefits.”

The prime minister announced plans to distribute e-motorbikes to “exceptional students” from government schools, following a model similar to the laptop scheme.

Moving forward, PM Shehbaz said that all federal government institutions would “exclusively purchase electric motorbikes” to conserve national resources.

He directed the Capital Development Authority to develop a detailed plan for implementing electrified public transport in Islamabad.

Also, read this

Pakistan’s ‘first electric bus’ goes for test run in Karachi

You can dream of mini-commercial Honda electric vans in 2024

China’s BYD plans car plant in Karachi as part of Pakistan entry

Since 2022, officials said that 49 licenses had been issued for the local production of two three-wheeled electric vehicles, with 25 factories already operational.

They added that the first licence for the domestic production of four-wheeled electric vehicles was issued in September this year and the first locally manufactured electric car is expected to be available in the market by December.

The country has 45,000 two-and three-wheeled electric vehicles, as well as 2,600 four-wheeled electric vehicles, according to officials. They stated that the installation of recharging stations for electric vehicles would be prioritised along motorways, GT Road (National Highway 5), and National Highways 65 and 70.