ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is facing a shortage of adequate battery-testing facilities for electric bikes, raising concerns over the quality and safety of batteries being used in the rapidly growing electric two-wheeler market.
According to a report of a National Assembly subcommittee, more than 300,000 electric bikes have been manufactured in Pakistan since 2021-22. However, the country lacks sufficient facilities to test their batteries against international quality and safety standards.
The report noted that, apart from the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), adequate battery-testing facilities are not currently available in the public sector.
The committee recommended establishing battery-testing laboratories at the provincial level to ensure proper testing and certification of batteries used in electric vehicles.
It also called for strengthening local manufacturing of electric bikes and batteries and ensuring that manufacturers comply with prescribed technical and safety standards.
The report highlighted that several organisations, including PCSIR, LUMS, NLC and Honda, have battery-testing facilities or related capabilities. However, the existing infrastructure remains insufficient to meet the growing requirements of Pakistan’s electric-vehicle industry.
The committee further recommended that the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Industries and Production take necessary measures to establish additional testing facilities and develop a comprehensive framework for battery testing and certification.
The recommendations come as Pakistan’s electric-vehicle market continues to expand, making reliable battery testing increasingly important for consumer safety, product quality and the development of a sustainable local EV industry.
