ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday emphasized the urgent need to promote environment-friendly electric vehicles (EVs) across Pakistan, citing rising global petroleum prices and regional instability as key challenges impacting the economy.
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Addressing a ceremony marking the induction of eco-smart electric vehicles into the Islamabad Capital Traffic Police fleet, the prime minister said such energy-efficient initiatives must be expanded nationwide, particularly by law enforcement agencies and provincial governments.
He highlighted that 15 battery-powered vehicles — provided by the Interior Ministry — had been deployed, with another batch expected soon. These vehicles operate without petrol or diesel, significantly reducing fuel consumption and environmental impact.
PM Shehbaz noted that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader strategy to conserve foreign exchange reserves and reduce reliance on imported fuel. He also commended Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for spearheading the project.
The prime minister said groundwork on fuel economy reforms and EV policy had already been initiated prior to the current regional crisis, enabling timely implementation of such measures.
According to a briefing by Islamabad Police Chief Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, each vehicle can travel 350–400 kilometres on a full charge, with fast charging taking 60–90 minutes. The EVs are expected to save up to Rs0.55 million per month compared to conventional fuel-powered vehicles and recover their cost within 13–14 months.
The vehicles will be deployed on major roads in the capital to improve traffic management, with each unit staffed by a trained response team.
The initiative is part of the federal government’s wider plan to modernise traffic systems and promote sustainable energy solutions.
