Workshop in Karachi Focuses on Implementation of Pakistan's New Energy Vehicle Policy
A significant workshop was recently held in Karachi to address and promote the implementation of Pakistan's New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Policy for the period 2025-30. The event brought together key stakeholders, including Asif Saeed Lughmani, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production, and Khuda Bux Rind, Chief Executive Officer of the Engineering Development Board (EDB). The session aimed to highlight the vision, scope, and strategic benefits of transitioning towards electric vehicles under the NEV Policy.
Asif Saeed Lughmani emphasized that the primary objective of the NEV Policy 2030 is to reduce Pakistan's reliance on imported oil and shift toward clean, sustainable energy sources within the transport sector. He pointed out the economic and environmental challenges associated with excessive oil consumption and stressed the importance of taking immediate action. Given that Pakistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, Lughmani stated that the NEV Policy is a crucial national initiative to mitigate these risks through green mobility. He also highlighted the need for strong coordination between federal and provincial governments to ensure the effective rollout of the policy.
In line with directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Lughmani has been visiting various provinces to build consensus and strengthen cooperation across all levels of government. He noted that the government is actively engaging the private sector, having already issued 61 licenses for local NEV production. This move is expected to boost technical capacity and create over 15,000 jobs nationwide, as 90 percent of NEV manufacturing will be localized.
Khuda Bux Rind discussed the economic and technological opportunities that NEVs present and reiterated EDB's full support in developing this emerging sector. He also highlighted the financial incentives offered by the government as part of the NEV Policy 2030. These include Rs65,000 for electric two-wheelers, Rs400,000 for three-wheelers, and Rs150,000 for four-wheelers. Additionally, the State Bank of Pakistan will introduce green auto financing to make electric vehicles more accessible to consumers.
Other incentives include free NEV registration and toll tax exemptions. Under Vision 2030, the goal is to convert 30 percent of all vehicles on Pakistani roads to electric. To support this transition, 3,000 charging stations will be established nationwide. These measures are projected to save the country one billion dollars and two billion liters of fuel each year.
The workshop underscored the importance of collaboration between different sectors and levels of government to achieve the targets set by the NEV Policy. It also highlighted the potential for economic growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability through the adoption of electric vehicles. With the right policies and support mechanisms in place, Pakistan is well-positioned to lead the transition towards a greener and more sustainable transport system.
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