KARACHI: Pakistan’s electric vehicle (EV) transition is gaining pace, with two private firms announcing plans to install 500 charging stations nationwide over the next two years. While the initiative reflects growing momentum, industry experts caution that structural challenges—ranging from grid limitations to land access and consumer trust—continue to hinder large-scale adoption.
Currently, Pakistan has only 30 to 50 public EV charging stations, far below the government’s target of 3,000 by 2030 under the National Electric Vehicle Policy 2025–2030. Experts argue that bridging this gap requires more than numerical expansion, highlighting fundamental issues in power infrastructure and regulatory coordination.
Talha Khan, CEO of ORKO, noted that fast-charging stations demand reliable three-phase electricity, which remains unavailable in many high-demand areas. He emphasized that public-private partnerships are essential, with the government facilitating land access and utility coordination, while private players bring investment and technological expertise.
A new collaboration between Solcraft and ORKO aims to address these gaps by deploying integrated EV charging and digital fleet management solutions. The companies plan to roll out 500 chargers across urban centres and major highways, targeting clients such as oil marketing companies, logistics firms, automakers, and public-sector entities.
Despite policy incentives, experts say adoption hinges on building “infrastructure confidence.” Zeeshan Ansari, CEO of Solcraft, stressed that consumers will only shift to EVs when reliable charging access is assured, not merely promised on paper.
Pakistan’s rapid growth in rooftop solar installations offers a potential solution. Analysts believe decentralized solar generation can help overcome grid constraints by enabling EV charging during peak sunlight hours, reducing reliance on diesel and improving operational reliability.
Beyond private vehicles, the electrification of commercial fleets is emerging as a key opportunity. With predictable usage patterns, fleet operators can recover EV investments within 12 to 18 months, provided financing and operational support systems are in place.
Looking ahead, industry leaders highlight the need to establish at least 500 interoperable fast-charging points along major corridors, develop local battery manufacturing, and make EVs cost-competitive with conventional vehicles within a three-year ownership cycle—without heavy reliance on subsidies.
Overall, while Pakistan’s EV ambitions are accelerating, success will depend on resolving core infrastructure bottlenecks and building long-term consumer confidence.
Story by Usman Hanif
