ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will launch the electric bikes scheme on Independence Day, making a key initiative to support eco-friendly transportation and cut down on the national import bill.
As part of the government’s push for sustainable mobility, the Prime Minister will hand over the cost-effective electric motorcycles to the public.
To support the initiative, the government has marked Rs 9 billion in the current fiscal budget to provide subsidies for electric bikes
Online registration is mandatory for the applicants, and if the number exceeds, a lottery system will be introduced for the distribution of the bikes.
Each electric motorbike will receive a Rs 65,000 government subsidy, with banks covering the remaining balance at no interest.
The Electric Vehicles Policy Document states that by 2030, the country’s goal is to have at least 2 million electric motorbikes. 53,950 e-rickshaws, 99,155 electric cars, 2,238 buses, and 2,996 trucks will also be introduced as part of the five-year plan, increasing the estimated total number of electric vehicles to 2.213 million.
Forty fast-charging stations will be installed around the country in the first phase. With charging stations to be placed at every gas station in the federal capital, Islamabad is intended to become a model city for the integration of electric vehicles.
E-Bikes for Students:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced the plan to provide free-of-cost electric bikes (e-bikes) to high-achieving students from all educational boards, including the federal board, the state-run APP reported.
Chairing a meeting related to the transition towards electric vehicles (EVs) today, the premier directed the preparation of a comprehensive government-level action plan to make electric vehicles accessible and affordable to the general public.
He announced that the government would provide more than 100,000 electric bikes and over 300,000 electric loaders to the public through easy loans and at subsidised rates.
Chairing a meeting related to the transition towards electric vehicles (EVs) today, the premier directed the preparation of a comprehensive government-level action plan to make electric vehicles accessible and affordable to the general public.
PM Shehaz said that promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs) would reduce Pakistan’s dependency on imported fuel, conserve billions in foreign exchange, help protect the environment, and support local industry.
“Unemployed individuals will be given electric rickshaws and loaders on a priority basis to encourage self-employment and reduce joblessness.”
The meeting was briefed that the government had allocated a special 25% quota for women in the EV scheme, while the rest would be distributed among the provinces based on population share. The prime minister instructed that Balochistan’s share be increased to 10%.
