Advancing Pakistan’s EV Policy

Earlier this month, the government of Punjab declared a smog emergency. A few days later, the Lahore High Court ordered school and office closures twice a week to mitigate smog in the largest city of Punjab. According to a 2018 study, air pollution comes from vehicular emissions, industry and agriculture through crop burning.The electric vehicle revolution Globally, the electric vehicle (EV) revolution is accelerating, driven by environmental concerns and advancements in automotive technology. Yet, Pakistan’s advancement to the shift remains tepid. This is proven by the low EV adoption rate in Pakistan compared to India and the rest of the world. In 2022, about 8,000 EVs were sold in Pakistan, compared to over a million in India. For Pakistan, a country with severe economic issues, developing and successfully implementing a robust EV policy is not just an opportunity but a necessity. The current policy landscape, while a commendable start, requires significant refinement to foster local manufacturing of EVs and to judiciously manage the import of foreign electric vehicles, including the import of the parts and materials that make up various vehicle components.