PESHAWAR: Electric bikes are rapidly gaining traction across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Peshawar, as soaring fuel prices encourage commuters to seek more affordable transportation options. However, inadequate charging infrastructure, frequent electricity outages, and the absence of a formal registration system are posing significant challenges to the sector’s sustainable growth.
The e-bike market has witnessed notable expansion in major commercial areas of Peshawar, including Gulbahar, Kohati Gate, Sarki Gate, Saddar, Tehkal, and Ring Road. Despite growing consumer demand and increasing investment in the sector, the province lacks dedicated charging facilities at public locations such as parks, bus terminals, markets, educational institutions, and transport hubs.
Industry stakeholders have expressed concern that neither government agencies nor private investors have yet developed a comprehensive charging network, potentially limiting the growth of the emerging e-mobility sector. At the same time, the provincial Excise Department has yet to introduce a formal registration mechanism for electric bikes, even as hundreds of units have already appeared on roads across the province.
Asif Khan, an electric bike user in Peshawar, said he purchased his e-bike for Rs200,000 and initially found it highly economical. However, the return of prolonged and unscheduled power outages has made it increasingly difficult to charge the vehicle for the required five to six hours. As a result, the bike’s performance has been affected, restricting its use primarily to short local trips.
According to Abdul Ghani, an e-bike dealer in Peshawar, three categories of electric bikes imported from China are currently available in the local market, ranging in price from Rs90,000 to Rs250,000. These vehicles typically offer a travel range of 70 to 80 kilometers on a full charge and require six to seven hours of uninterrupted charging. He noted that unreliable electricity supply and voltage fluctuations significantly reduce their effectiveness.
Power shortages remain a major obstacle. Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reportedly experience between 18 and 20 hours of load shedding daily, while areas in Malakand face eight to ten hours. In Peshawar, urban neighborhoods encounter 10 to 12 hours of outages, while suburban localities often endure 14 to 18 hours of load shedding, making reliable charging difficult for e-bike owners.
Students and young commuters see considerable potential in electric mobility if supporting infrastructure is developed. Naveed Khan, a college student who recently purchased an electric bike, suggested that charging stations at colleges, universities, and public facilities could significantly enhance the practicality and adoption of e-bikes.
Another key concern is the absence of a regulatory framework. Hundreds of electric bikes are currently operating in Peshawar without registration. Officials from the Excise and Taxation Department have confirmed that electric bikes will eventually be regulated under the same legal framework that governs conventional motorcycles.
Masood Khan, an Excise and Taxation Officer in Peshawar, stated that the department is working on a comprehensive registration plan, which will enable citizens to formally register their electric bikes in the near future.
While electric bikes offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional motorcycles, experts believe that expanding charging infrastructure, ensuring reliable electricity supply, and introducing clear regulatory policies will be critical to unlocking the sector’s full potential in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Story by Ahtesham Khan
