Karachi alone may need 5,000 EV charging stations as govt targets only 3,000 across country by 2030

The Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production raised serious questions about Pakistan’s electric vehicle

Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production raised serious questions about Pakistan’s electric vehicle plan after Senator Saleem Mandviwalla pointed out that Karachi alone may need around 4,000 to 5,000 charging stations, while the government’s national target is to set up 3,000 charging stations by 2030. The committee also discussed concerns over policy inconsistency, as Senator Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan noted that businesses often invest money but later face changes in taxes and regulations. She stressed that the Ministry of Industries and Production must protect its policies to maintain investor confidence.

The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production was held at Parliament House. In the absence of Committee Chairman Senator Aon Abbas Buppi, members unanimously nominated Senator Khalida Ateeb to preside over the meeting. The committee received a detailed briefing from the Ministry of Industries and Production on the National Electric Vehicle Policy. The Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production informed the committee that the EV policy will remain in force for five years.

He said that since 1990, the ministry’s policies have usually been prepared for a five year period to ensure continuity and stability. Senator Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan expressed concern that businesses face serious problems when government policies change after they have already invested. She said investors need trust and stability before putting money into new sectors such as electric vehicles. The Secretary informed the committee that the government aims to establish 3,000 electric vehicle charging stations across Pakistan by 2030.

He said more than 72 licences for the installation of electric charging stations have already been issued. The committee learned that charging stations would be developed under a public private partnership model. Officials said the government would also support investors by helping cover the viability gap where needed. The committee was further informed that around 2.2 million electric vehicles of different categories are expected to be on Pakistan’s roads by 2030.

Officials said more than 12,800 electric vehicles and around 160,000 electric motorcycles have already been manufactured locally. The government has allocated Rs9 billion in subsidies for electric two wheelers and three wheelers. Eligible buyers receive a subsidy of Rs80,000 for purchasing an electric motorcycle.

Officials informed the committee that around 5,700 beneficiaries have so far availed bank financing under the scheme. The committee was told that applicants must provide a valid CNIC, bank account and crossed cheque to qualify for the subsidy scheme. Senator Anusha Rahman recommended transferring the subsidy directly to Original Equipment Manufacturers to improve transparency and implementation. Officials also informed the committee that ownership of subsidized electric motorcycles cannot be transferred for two years.

Senator Saleem Mandviwalla appreciated the ministry’s efforts to promote local manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports. However, he questioned whether the planned charging infrastructure would be enough for a country like Pakistan. He said Karachi alone would require around 4,000 to 5,000 charging stations. He also sought details about the number of electric bike manufacturers, their production capacity and the infrastructure needed to support large scale electric vehicle use.

Sharing his personal experience, Senator Mandviwalla said he had faced difficulty in finding charging facilities during travel. He stressed that charging stations must also extend to remote areas, not only big cities. The Secretary informed the committee that electric motorcycles with 3 to 7 kilowatt batteries need only a normal 220 volt power supply for charging. He also said improvements in battery technology have increased the driving range of electric vehicles to around 400 to 500 kilometres.

Officials informed the committee that companies including Star Charge and HUBCO have shown interest in setting up charging infrastructure in Pakistan. Senator Anusha Rahman recommended that the Ministries of Industries and Production, Petroleum and Power should jointly present a complete briefing on the implementation of the EV policy at the next meeting.

Members said the government must ensure that the EV policy is not only announced on paper but also implemented through proper planning, strong infrastructure and clear coordination among ministries.