Govt to support EV charging stations in Pakistan with lower power rates

Awais Leghari says current government is willing to get rid of being an electricity buyer
An undated image of an EV charging station. — iStock
An undated image of an EV charging station. — iStock

With efforts being made to reduce the transport sector's carbon footprint, Pakistan is eyeing a substantial surge in the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) by dropping power prices at charging stations.

Power minister Awais Leghari in an interview said it is crucial for the South Asian nation to “bring down drastically the prices for new sectors including EVs” to create demand.

The government is planning to establish a pricing structure whose beneficial application will encompass all charging and battery swapping stations for small cars, two-wheelers and three-wheelers, remarked the minister.

Read more: Pakistan takes big step toward 5G — Consultant Hired for auction planning

EV charging stations in Pakistan

A significant foundation in this regard was laid earlier this month as Hubco, a Karachi-based power producer in Pakistan, sealed an agreement with the country’s largest fuel retailer, Pakistan State Oil, to jointly establish an EV charging network across Pakistan.

BYD is one of the many Chinese car manufacturers in Pakistan that have launched their EVs in the country. 

With skyrocketing tariffs prompting a considerable drop in electricity demand, Leghari said the incumbent government is also willing to get rid of solely being an electricity buyer.