Muhammad Saleem

A Chinese company’s plan to install 3,000 electric vehicle charging stations in Pakistan is expected to significantly boost the adoption of EVs nationwide.

Talking to WealthPK, Waleed Ahmed, a bike manufacturer, said that it's an encouraging sign that more and more Pakistanis were turning to electric vehicles. He noted that, though prices of these vehicles are higher than fuel-based vehicles, their impact on the environment is positive.

He said that fuel-based vehicles are severely harming the environment and affecting public health. “Despite these hazards, our response to repair the damage has been slow. Only electric vehicles can improve environmental conditions and enhance public health,” he emphasised.

Ahmed said people who buy electric vehicles have trouble finding places to charge them. To solve this problem, he added that a Chinese company will set up 3,000 charging stations all over the country.

The bike manufacturer described the initiative as a major development in Pakistan’s transportation and energy sectors. “It will not only ease the issues faced by the electric vehicle owners but also improve environmental conditions in Pakistan.” He said that the Chinese company’s announcement is a sign of progress that will likely boost the electric vehicle market in the country. 

Zafar Ali, whose daughter recently purchased an electric bike, told WealthPK that she is satisfied with her decision as it resolved her transportation issue. “However, she has to be extra cautious about its charging.”

“Once, my daughter faced the issue of a dead battery when she was on her way home from university. Sensing the situation, I had to rush to the spot, get the bike loaded onto a loader rickshaw to take it home. The bike was then charged at home, as no charging station was available along the road,” he said.

Shaukat Ali, an environmental expert, termed the installation of EV charging stations a significant move. He said that Pakistan is currently heavily reliant on oil and gas imports, which are costing the country dearly. He said it is the need of the hour to move from traditional to electric vehicles.

To encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and improve the environmental situation, he said Pakistan needs to invest in EV charging stations, rather than waiting for foreign investors.

“By ensuring the availability of charging stations, we can make electric vehicles popular in Pakistan and create jobs. A clean transport system is crucial for any nation, and for Pakistan, it is urgently needed, sensing the country’s deteriorating environmental conditions,” he added.

“By switching to electric vehicles, we can easily reduce smoke, control noise, and provide our children cleaner air,” he said. However, he cautioned that charging stations must use clean energy such as solar or wind power.

Credit: INP-WealthPk