Major progress was made regarding Pakistan's first e-taxi service project as Punjab government has decided to finance up to Rs6.5 million for electric vehicles for the project. A working paper has been prepared for the availability of 1,100 vehicles to start electric taxi service in Lahore. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has given formal approval for electric taxi service. 

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif will inaugurate the portal of the electric taxi service project after returning from her visit to Japan. Punjab government will pay the interest on the financing of electric taxi. Seven types of vehicles worth Rs4 million to Rs10 million will be available for the electric taxi service project. Punjab government will pay Rs585,000 as a 20 percent down payment.

Banks will finance up to Rs6.5 million for the purchase of electric taxis, while the consumer will have to pay for the purchase of vehicles of higher value. In this regard, Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan said that Punjab will spend up to Rs2 billion for the implementation of the electric taxi service project.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)