Dawn News: Aliza Khalid – Pipe dreams of EVs
Article by Aliza Khalid for Dawn News. Read the full article here:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1751569/pipe-dreams-of-evs
The article discusses the challenges and opportunities for the electric vehicle (EV) industry in Pakistan. It highlights the concerns raised by engineers, manufacturers, and assemblers regarding the importation of crucial EV components, such as lithium-ion batteries, which creates uncertainty and makes the market unsustainable. Despite government policies aimed at promoting EV manufacturing and usage, including tax incentives and subsidies, the effectiveness of these policies is questioned due to trade deficits and import bans. The article also mentions a loan scheme for EVs introduced by the government, but doubts are raised about its practical implications and affordability for the average consumer. The need for local innovation and development of the EV industry is emphasized, with experts calling for a focus on building EVs domestically and engaging unemployed engineers. The article suggests that importing vehicles alone is not enough and that the country should seize the opportunity to develop a sustainable domestic industry through innovation. The lack of visibility and support for local institutions and startups working on EV innovation is also noted.
