The electric vehicle policy is set to be implemented according to its schedule despite all the reservations shown by the existing auto manufacturers in the country, according to the adviser to PM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam.
According to the details, the existing players in the local auto sector had expressed their reservations over the approval of the EV policy owing to not being taken into decision-making while formulating the policy. The overall situation was cleared by the adviser to Prime Minister Malik Amin Aslam as he said that the current auto manufacturers and auto part makers have nothing to be bothered about regarding the implementation of EV policy.
He added that the existing players would have a significant benefit over new auto manufacturers in the country as they already have the manufacturing plants installed. According to him, the EV policy will be a huge leap towards the transformation of the entire auto industry to electric mobility and reduced carbon footprint in the environment. He asserted that the government had no other option but to introduce an EV policy that would welcome electric vehicles in the country. The condition of the environment is deteriorating with each passing day, and it was inevitable to transform into electric mobility to fight the negative impact of poor quality of air. A majority of developed countries have already shifted towards electric vehicles to contribute to saving the environment. Only 20% of the pollution around the world is contributed by automobiles whereas, in Pakistan, over 40% of the pollution is built up due to the carbon emissions from the vehicles.
Amin Aslam clearly stated that there is no point of return from here on as the EV policy has already been approved by the parliament.
However, all the current auto players and new auto manufacturers are being requested to agree upon the establishment of a road map that would help the government to achieve its goal of converting 30% of vehicles into electric by the year 2030.
The government is giving away several incentives on its EV policy and will soon formulate a complete infrastructure to help promote electric vehicles in the country. As far as the scope of manufacturing batteries for EVs in Pakistan is concerned, the work for the transfer of technology from China has been completed. If Pakistan manages to produce its batteries for electric vehicles, it would be a bonus for the local auto industry.
There are also several options in terms of the production of batteries, i.e. swappable and solar-powered batteries. The government is looking upon the feasibility of each one of them and will work on it according to the plan. To establish a long-term EV industry in Pakistan, it’s important to focus on strengthening the roots. The establishment of an export market for a right-hand drive (RHD) electric cars is also under consideration, and Pakistan can also take advantage of its good relations with China in this regard.
The Adviser to PM also stressed upon the localization of the electric vehicles in Pakistan. According to him, the combustion engine vehicles currently produced in Pakistan never achieved a good percentage of localization as more than 50% of its cost comes from the imported parts or the raw material used to produce these parts locally. As a result, whenever the local currency loses its value against the US dollar, the prices of automobiles surge unbelievably. A higher level of localization will be targeted in the case of EVs in Pakistan to stay competitive in the local market.
Moreover, the use of electric vehicles will not only reduce long-term pollution but will have a significant role in reducing the country’s import bill by as much as $2 billion. Electric vehicles will also let consumers save money on a long-term basis. The EVs are also not too far away from being seen on the roads as the government is all set to initiate the two and three-wheelers in the initial phase of implementing EV policy. Motorbikes have a huge market in the country, and the government aims to shift the consumers using combustion engine two-wheelers and three-wheelers to electric ones.
Let’s see how far the government’s efforts will go regarding the implementation of EV policy. Nonetheless, it’s a great initiative to save our environment from global warming and increased pollution. However, the government will have to carry along the existing auto manufacturers if it aims to achieve the goal of converting 30% of vehicles into electric by 2030. Mention your suggestions in the comments section and stay tuned to PakWheels for more updates related to the EV policy of Pakistan.
In China Toyota is teaming up with BYD, in India Suzuki has made a lithium battery plant, in Europe Honda is introducing compact electric cars. Germany is welcoming Tesla plant. Ford is making electric pickup trucks. VW is making new ID electric vehicles in Germany , China , USA and Europe. JLR is teaming up with BMW for electric EVs, Meanwhile local Pakistani players are still crying about EVs.
Illogical argument. Those are all developed and richer countries. Pakistan is not
The Pakistani carmakers are not local brands. The technology they are using comes from their respective parent/principal organization originated and headquarter in e.g. Japan.
The same companies which are crying foul about EV policy in Pakistan are actually pioneers of EV in their respective homegrounds. It is a hypocrisy that e.g. Japan creates good cars for themselves which even as used JDM import (sometimes even total loss cars) are better than the crap they “assemble” as new here. Even in that the %age of localization is not high.
So neither the local industry gets supported, nor the trade deficit lowers. Yet the customers get featureless old designs with less than standard safety. It is a lose-lose situation.
The thing is that they are just dumping off their old technologies in Pakistan
You can charge your vehicle by solar panel
And the Logic Says that while India is Exporting Suzuki and Ford Cars to World Pakistan Local Manufacturer Still Imparting 50% ( Mainly the main Parts ) !!!!! What good The big 3 Has given to Pakistan ? People still buy Imported Vehicle because better quality …. Please explain the Logic here ???
Having an EV policy is good as world is moving ahead with that but let us also see were Pakistan currently stands in emissions. All countries having EV policy are already much ahead in terms of vehicle technologies and emissions. Europe, China and India already have Stage6 envision norms whereas Pakistan is still on Euro2 and having an EV policy doesn’t make EVs affordable or huge sellers in market. In US only 1.2% of cars sold are EVs, a decent Nissan Leaf costs upwards of 30,000$ while Germany still has a lot of diesel car sales while in India EVs are mostly used by government agencies or fleet owners and EVs are still expensive there. Only China has achieved real success with EVs with them being affordable and selling most EVs in the world. Pakistan needs charging infrastructure and cheap EVs otherwise no use of such policies.
You are right, those are all world’s largest economies and have finances to fund EVs. Also those are huge markets by sales vlomues hence investment there makes sense.