Time of electric vehicles.

• Author: Asghar, Arooj

Byline: Arooj Asghar

The history of Pakistan's automotive industry is one of the oldest in the Asian countries. The industry started semi knockdown production of trucks (Bedford) in 1949 by General Motors, which marked the start of the industry's history after the independence from British India. Trade liberalization has not been supported by the automotive industry of Pakistan, which has led to consumers facing higher prices, low quality standards and inadequacy of competition in this sector. Being the sixth largest manufacturing subsector of the economy the automobile industry employs over 3.5 million workers, Pakistan's auto sector has potential to create much value for the country and can also attract foreign direct investment and foreign exchange revenues by exporting vehicles.

Prime Minister Imran Khan recently chaired a meeting on climate change and decided to introduce EVsby setting up electric vehicle plants for the first time in Pakistan. The Prime Minister ordered the authorities concerned to ensure conversion of 30 percent of all cars running in the country into EVs by 2030.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have advanced significantly this decade, mainly because of decreasing battery costs, yet EVs remain more costly than fuel based vehicles over their useful life. Commercial success for EVs will require installing charging infrastructure that is accessible, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive-whether at home or in public locations. There are a lot of innovation going on in this segment and in coming months and years, we will see new technology. Therefore, the form this infrastructure will take is still uncertain, with a range of charging technologies currently available, much more is expected to emerge over the next five years.

Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam says; most countries are opting for EVs across the world and Pakistan is far behind in it and once introduced in the country, EVs will help save at least Rs2 billion worth of oil imported into the country besides reducing the country's air pollution. The adviser said that smoke emissions from vehicles were a major source of air pollution in the country and it contributed heavily to smog during winter season in Punjab, especially in Lahore. In this situation, EVs would help lessen dependence on LPG and compressed natural gas stations, most of which were shut down because of gas closure on different days especially in winter in Punjab and these...