Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, has said that international electric carmakers had started setting up manufacturing plants in Pakistan even before the approval of the EV policy.
While talking to Arab News, the Minister revealed that the EV plant of UK’s MG Motors is nearing completion while Malaysia’s Proton is coming to Pakistan for EV manufacturing as well.
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Moreover, around 24 EV manufacturers, 9 of four-wheelers and 15 of two and three-wheelers, have expressed intentions of investing in the Pakistani EV market.
The country’s first-ever EV policy, which the federal cabinet approved yesterday, also incentivizes the local automotive industry to encourage it to switch to EV manufacturing.
The Minister said that air pollution has long been one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing Pakistan, with vehicles accounting for 35% of the total air pollution of the country.
The EV policy envisages a significant reduction in air pollution with the introduction of electric cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, and rickshaws. It aims to switch 25% of vehicles to electric engines in the next five years.
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Moreover, the Science and Technology Ministry has also proposed establishing EV Development Board to regulate electric vehicles in Pakistan.
Besides, the Ministry has also suggested Prime Minister Imran Khan abolish the import duty on EVs for a year to foster the culture of EV in the country.
