Punjab Allocates Rs. 40 Billion for Electric Bus Charging Infrastructure

The Punjab government has allocated Rs. 40 billion in the current fiscal year to develop charging infrastructure for its expanding electric bus network as it pushes ahead with plans to introduce more buses across the province.

Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan said the charging infrastructure will be upgraded in phases, while newly inducted electric buses will initially be charged using electricity supplied by WAPDA until the dedicated charging network is completed.

He said the government has decided to expand electric bus services to smaller districts after launching the initiative in major cities.

Under the first phase, electric buses will operate on 13 routes across Khanewal, Khushab, Bhakkar, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, and Hafizabad. Khushab will receive 15 buses, while nine buses each will be deployed in Khanewal, Bhakkar, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, and Hafizabad.

The government also plans to deploy electric buses in 14 more districts by the end of July. Ten buses each will be introduced in Chiniot, Layyah, Okara, and Sialkot, while 12 buses each will be deployed in Gujranwala and Multan. Another 11 buses each will be introduced in Murree, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Vehari, Kasur, Lodhran, Nankana Sahib, and Narowal.

According to sources, 488 additional electric buses are expected to arrive in Pakistan by the end of August 2026 and will gradually be deployed in various districts.

Currently, 400 electric buses are operating across 18 districts of Punjab, with the provincial government aiming to increase the fleet to 1,900 buses during 2026. However, official data shows the province currently has charging facilities for only 41 electric buses, making the timely completion of charging infrastructure a key challenge for the project’s successful expansion.