ISLAMABAD: Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers have voiced serious concerns over the lack of charging infrastructure and high upfront costs, warning that these obstacles could derail Pakistan’s clean energy ambitions.
The concerns were raised during a consultative meeting held by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCCEC) on Friday, chaired by Secretary Aisha Humera Moriani. The meeting focused on accelerating the transition to electric mobility, scaling up EV charging stations, retrofitting fuel-powered vehicles, and exploring financing options to make EVs more accessible.
Industry representatives emphasized the urgent need for modern charging facilities, particularly along highways and in urban centers, to ensure sustainable growth of the EV sector.
Acknowledging the concerns, Secretary Moriani said the absence of robust infrastructure remains a key barrier to EV adoption. “Without significant investment in charging networks, the shift to electric mobility will remain limited,” she cautioned.
The meeting also explored ways to ease EV financing and discussed the significant environmental and economic benefits of shifting away from fossil fuels. Participants called for clear policy direction and strong national commitment to drive EV adoption.
A major focus was also on retrofitting existing fuel-powered vehicles. Muhammad Asif Sahibzada, Director General for Environment, highlighted that Pakistan has over 37 million fuel-based vehicles, including 28.7 million motorcycles. “Standardized retrofitting is a scalable and cost-effective approach, particularly for motorcycles that dominate the transport sector,” he said.
The stakeholders urged the government to fast-track enabling policies to boost EV adoption and unlock the full potential of clean, sustainable transport.
Story by Jamal Shahid
