In view of the phenomenal increase in the prices of petroleum products, the government has started moving towards the adoption of two and three wheeler electric vehicle options across the country.
Recently the Engineering Development Board has granted licenses to 34 manufacturers under the Electric Vehicle Policy. In a webinar under the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Asim Ayaz, a senior official of the Engineering Development Board, said that the biggest challenge in electric vehicles is the charging and cost of batteries. The concerned ministry has proposed that arrangements should be made for battery recharging of electric vehicles at every petrol pump.
Ahmed Sujeel of Dewan Motors BMW said that the Japanese automakers were hesitant regarding electric vehicles, but the increasing popularity of these vehicles at the global level forced them to give up their resistance.
Highlighting the importance of infrastructure, Ahmed Sujeel added that there is room for local manufacturers to flourish if silica and other raw materials are available in abundance in Pakistan.