Islamabad, August 19: Electric vehicles (EVs) can play a transformative role in achieving low-carbon transport; however, for scaling EVs in Pakistan, local manufacturing, charging and swapping infrastructure, and research and development (R&D) are necessary. While numerous incentives have been laid out in new EV policies, limited purchasing power, grid readiness challenges, and a lack of repair and service facilities continue to obstruct their uptake in the country.

This highlights the need for integrated policies, technological readiness, and infrastructure development to ensure that EV adoption contributes to reducing emissions, managing energy demand, and advancing the country’s broader climate and sustainability goals.

Experts observed this at a roundtable titled ‘Prospects of Low-Carbon Transport in Pakistan: Exploring EVs Future,’ held at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad. The session was addressed by Khalid Rahman, chairman, IPS; keynote speaker Engr. Asim Ayaz, general manager policy at the Engineering Development Board; Sulaiman Majeed, director planning at Punjab Transport Authority; and Dr. Faisal Ahmad Khan, CEO Balochistan Public Private Partnership Authority.

Dr. Usman Qadir, senior economist at Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Dr. Muhammad Adil Khan, assistant professor at Air University, Islamabad; Mehrosh Fatima, EV charging solutions expert, National Radio Telecommunication Corporation; Afzaal........

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