ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to launch an Electric Bike (E-Bike) scheme aimed at cutting down the import bill and curbing environmental pollution.
The scheme will officially be launched by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 14, Independence Day.
According to official sources, the government has already drafted the scheme and earmarked Rs9 billion in the current budget for subsidies on electric bikes.
As part of the plan, each e-bike will receive a subsidy of Rs65,000, while the remaining cost will be covered through interest-free bank loans. To ensure transparency, the registration process will be conducted online, and if applications exceed the set limit, a lucky draw will be held to select the eligible recipients.
Officials say the move is a key step under Pakistan’s Electric Vehicles (EV) Policy, which targets the rollout of at least 2 million e-bikes by 2030.
In addition, the government aims to bring 53,950 e-rickshaws, 99,155 electric cars, 2,238 e-buses, and 2,996 electric trucks on the roads over the next five years.
That adds up to a grand total of 2,213,115 electric vehicles across the country.
In the first phase, the government will set up 40 fast-charging stations across Pakistan. Islamabad will be developed as a model city for electric vehicles, leading the way for other cities to follow.
Moreover, to encourage the shift to electric, the government plans to install charging points at all petrol pumps in the federal capital, making it easier for users to top up their vehicles on the go.
