Karachi: Lucky Motors has partnered with Chinese state-owned automaker Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) in Pakistan, betting that rising fuel prices and rapid rooftop solar adoption will accelerate the country’s transition toward electric mobility.
Speaking to Reuters, Lucky Motors CEO Muhammad Faisal said the ongoing fuel price crisis has created a strong opportunity for EV adoption in Pakistan.
“Every crisis has an opportunity. This crisis has actually helped Pakistani consumers transition fast from conventional fuel vehicles to new energy vehicles,” Faisal said.
Under the agreement, Lucky Motors has begun showcasing four EV models from GAC’s Aion and Hyptec series across Pakistan. The company plans to begin local assembly of GAC electric vehicles by December 2026.
GAC becomes the third automotive brand under Lucky Motors after Kia and Peugeot, both of which are currently assembled at the company’s Karachi facility. Lucky Motors is a subsidiary of one of Pakistan’s largest conglomerates, Lucky Cement.
Faisal expressed confidence in the market response, stating that the company expects its first imported stock of GAC EVs to sell out within two months.
Although EVs still account for a small share of Pakistan’s automobile market — traditionally dominated by Japanese and Korean brands — the shift toward electric mobility is gaining momentum, especially in the two-wheeler segment. According to consultancy Renewables First, electric bike sales nearly tripled and now represent around five per cent of total motorcycle sales in the country.
Faisal noted that Pakistan’s rapidly expanding solar energy sector is also strengthening the business case for EV adoption. With rooftop solar systems becoming increasingly common, many consumers can conveniently charge vehicles at home during off-peak hours.
“A lot of people buying these products have solar on the rooftop. It makes it easy to charge overnight and use the car during the day,” he added.
Lucky Motors is also exploring battery swapping technology, which would allow drivers to replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones within minutes — a first for Pakistan. The company aims to introduce the technology around the same time local EV assembly begins.
In addition, Lucky Motors and GAC are discussing the possibility of exporting Pakistan-assembled vehicles to other right-hand drive markets where GAC currently has limited presence.
Beyond automobiles, Lucky Motors — which also assembles Samsung smartphones at its Karachi plant — is evaluating opportunities for local battery manufacturing, pending the announcement of the government’s upcoming battery policy.
Pakistan has set a national target for EVs to account for 30 per cent of vehicle sales by 2030 and has pledged $400 million to establish more than 3,000 public charging stations across the country.
By Reuters
