Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to accelerate efforts for promoting electric vehicles (EVs) in the country and announced that government employees up to Grade 16 will be provided electric bikes on easy installments.
The decision has been taken as part of energy-saving and environmentally friendly initiatives.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s House, while chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad, the premier said promotion of electric vehicles has become essential in view of the current regional situation and future needs. He said the move would not only reduce the oil import bill but also help ensure environmental protection and energy security.
The prime minister directed that complete transparency be maintained in subsidies being provided to low-income individuals and government employees under the National EV Policy, while implementation of the scheme should be expedited. Officials informed the meeting that 72 manufacturing certificates for electric motorcycles and rickshaws, and four for electric cars, have so far been issued in the country.
The meeting was briefed that a target has been set to shift 30 percent of the country’s vehicles to electric over the next five years, which could save nearly $4.5 billion in foreign exchange annually. Authorities also said 123 applications have been received so far for establishing electric charging stations across the country.
Under the prime minister’s energy-saving vision, 15 eco-smart electric vehicles have already been added to the Islamabad Capital Police fleet. These battery-powered vehicles, which do not use petrol or oil, are expected to help reduce pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
Federal ministers including Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar and Awais Leghari, along with other senior officials, attended the meeting.
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