A review meeting was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the promotion of electric vehicles in the country.

In a briefing on ongoing steps for the nationwide promotion of electric vehicles, it was informed that four manufacturing certificates have been issued for the manufacture of electric motorcycles and rickshaws, while 123 applications have been received so far for the establishment of EV charging stations.

It was stated that a plan is being considered to run 30% of vehicles in the country on electricity in the next five years, which is expected to save an estimated $4.5 billion in fuel costs. Electric bikes will be provided to government employees up to grade 16 on easy instalments.

The prime minister said the ongoing steps should be expedited to accelerate the promotion of electric vehicles. He said the promotion of EVs will reduce the fuel import burden and is important for environmental protection and energy security.

He directed that transparency be ensured in the subsidy provided on electric motorcycles for low-income people under the National EV Policy, and that implementation of the scheme be further accelerated.