E-bikes, rickshaws unveiled in Punjab

Punjab's caretaker government has announced the integration of 26,000 e-bikes and rickshaws into urban traffic as Punjab remains one of the worst affected provinces by alarming air pollution.

The electric vehicles will be provided under the "Green wheels programme" allowing students, low-income citizens, women, and people with disabilities to benefit from the government initiative, announced caretaker Punjab Minister for Transport Ibrahim Hasan Murad.

The minister added that another historic milestone was achieved with the issuance of electric vehicle (EV) licenses for the first time in Pakistan.

This will not only encourages the adoption of eco-friendly modes of transportation but also positions the country at the forefront of embracing innovative solutions for a cleaner environment, he maintained.

He also underscored that five major cities, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, and Bahawalpur, were designated as EV models.

In response to a query regarding the charging stations, the transport minister reassured that the comprehensive plan encompasses infrastructure development for charging stations, ensuring that the transition to electric vehicles is supported by a robust network.

Battery charging stations will be strategically placed to facilitate the widespread adoption of EVs, he concluded.