ISLAMABAD: Experts at the EV Summit 2025, organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), have called for the urgent development of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, including nationwide charging stations and battery availability, to facilitate consumer adoption.
Participants highlighted the government’s introduction of a Rs39.7 per unit EV charging tariff with a 40% exemption, but emphasized the need for further incentives and standardization of EV products and infrastructure to build consumer confidence.
Engineer Khuda Buksh of the Engineering Development Board (EDB) noted the growing EV adoption trend and underscored the economic benefits of localizing the EV value chain through completely knocked-down (CKD) kits. He emphasized that this approach would lower costs, increase affordability, and support spare parts manufacturing.
Sunil Manj, Co-Founder of PakWheels, stressed the importance of standardized EV tariffs and infrastructure to encourage stakeholder investment and overcome barriers like high costs, power outages, and supply chain challenges. He also advocated for reviewing tax and toll exemptions to ease financial burdens on consumers.
Other speakers highlighted the need for financing mechanisms, battery standardization, and alignment with Pakistan’s international climate commitments. Dr. Khalid Walid of SDPI outlined the evolution of Pakistan’s EV policies since 2019, while Ahmed Sajeel, an automotive expert, stressed that local assembly subsidies are vital for broader EV adoption.
The summit concluded with a call for collaborative efforts and policy coherence to position EVs as a transformative solution for Pakistan’s economy and climate.
Story by Abdul Rasheed Azad
