Pakistan, China ink EV charging pact

ISLAMABAD: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the two countries to improve the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem through local manufacturing and technology transfer as the government is all set to launch its new Battery Energy Storage System Policy.

The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan observed the signing of MoU between Star Charge Energy Pakistan and Bahum Global Ltd, stated an official press release from the Ministry of Industries and Production on Tuesday.

In his remarks on the occasion, he assured the audience that the government was determined to bring about a change in Pakistan's transport system through electric mobility.

The soon-to-be-launched Battery Energy Storage System Policy would usher in the era of EV revolution through local manufacturing, attracting investment and developing an industrial ecosystem.

He further said that the shift towards EVs would greatly minimize Pakistan’s dependency on oil products and thus would save the country's precious money and resources.

According to the SAPM, the government is providing assistance to establish an infrastructure for EV charging all over the country in order to facilitate the adoption of such vehicles. “The increased availability of charging facilities will make the use of electric mobility affordable for customers,” he stated.

Khan described EVs as the future of transportation and a key driver of Pakistan's industrial transformation. He said strategic partnerships with leading Chinese companies would facilitate local manufacturing of EV batteries, promote technology transfer, strengthen domestic industrial capabilities and generate employment opportunities for Pakistani youth.