Senate body slams slow production of electric vehicles in Pakistan

A Senate Standing Committee has criticized a lag in the production of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Pakistan, saying only 60,000 had been produced by this year against a target of 600,000, as the government moves to transition to green transport solutions and beat climate change. 

The government of Pakistan approved an ambitious National Electric Vehicles Policy (NEVP) in 2019 with the goal of electric vehicles comprising 30% of all passenger vehicle and heavy-duty truck sales by 2030, and an even more ambitious target of 90% by 2040. For two- and three-wheelers, as well as buses, the policy set a goal of achieving 50% of new sales by 2030 and 90% by 2040.

“Senator Sherry Rehman criticized Pakistan’s lagging EV production, noting that only 60,000 EVs have been produced against a 600,000 target,” according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, which is chaired by Rehman.

“She also highlighted that the transport sector contributes 48% to air pollution, making EV adoption critical. The Ministry of Industries faced scrutiny for lacking data on local EV production and charging stations.”

While Pakistan had aimed to install 3,000 EV charging stations by 2030, only eight had been established, Rehman said, calling on banks to introduce EV financing to enhance accessibility.

“Key recommendations included expanding EV charging stations and incentivizing private investment, promoting renewable energy adoption in homes and businesses, ramping up local EV production to meet policy targets, enforcing energy-efficient building codes nationwide, and encouraging energy-efficient transport and public transit use,” the press release said.