Pakistan’s journey toward electrifying its transport sector has entered a decisive phase, with a wave of investment, regulatory facilitation, and policy reforms converging to create an unprecedented opportunity. At the center of this transformation stands the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA), under the leadership of its dynamic Managing Director, Sardar Moazzam, whose strategic approach has translated policy ambitions into actionable progress on the ground. The momentum is unmistakable. Around 3,800 investors—both domestic and international—have formally expressed interest in setting up electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country. Already, 71 stations have been licensed, 30 to 35 are operational, and 128 more are in the process of registration. NEECA’s streamlined approval process, issuing licenses within 15 days after documentation is completed, has removed the bureaucratic bottlenecks that historically slowed infrastructure deployment. This efficiency is a direct outcome of Sardar Moazzam’s insistence on simplifying regulatory pathways while ensuring compliance and quality standards.
The foundation of this boom lies in the government’s decision in April 2025 to approve a massive reduction in tariffs for EV charging stations. Acting on a detailed proposal prepared by NEECA and championed by its leadership, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) reduced the base tariff from Rs 45.55 per kWh to Rs 23.57 per kWh, roughly halving the cost. After taxes, the effective rate stands at around Rs 39 per kWh, a level that makes the business model viable for investors while reducing costs for EV users. The decision also removed the Rs 24.44 per kWh capped profit margin, allowing market forces to play a greater role in pricing. This tariff reform has transformed EV charging from a high-cost experiment into a commercially attractive venture. The Prime Minister himself acknowledged that the earlier rate structure was not sustainable for industry growth and credited the NEECA team, led by Sardar Moazzam, for presenting a proposal that convincingly balanced environmental imperatives with economic realities.
This surge in EV infrastructure investment is more than a technological shift—it is the birth of a new market segment in Pakistan’s energy and transport economy. Battery swapping stations, integrated charging hubs, and manufacturing of EV components are now on the radar of both domestic entrepreneurs and global players. Partnerships are already taking shape. Zhuhai Comking Electric from China and E-Trade Nexus from Pakistan have signed agreements to supply EV charging equipment. HUBCO Green, Mega Motor Company, and BYD are collaborating to assemble EVs and deploy a national charging network. BYD, via MMC, has launched the first NEV fast-charging station on the M2 motorway, aiming for 50 stations with 128 DC chargers by the end of 2025. The government’s NEV Policy Phase 1 includes 40 public fast-charging stations along the motorway backbone from Peshawar to Karachi, spaced about 120 km apart. This initiative will not only address range anxiety for EV users but also stimulate ancillary services such as restaurants, retail outlets, and roadside facilities around charging points.
Pakistan’s transport sector is a major consumer of imported fuels, burning an estimated 44.24 million liters of petrol and diesel daily—around 79% of the country’s total fuel consumption. Motorcycles alone consume nearly 23 million liters per day. The economic impact is staggering, with about $15.6 billion annually spent on fuel imports, placing severe pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Replacing just 10% of the current fossil-fuel fleet with EVs could save approximately 1.6 billion liters of fuel annually, cutting the import bill by around $1.5–1.6 billion. Additionally, this shift would reduce annual CO₂ emissions by 1.5 million tonnes, even after factoring in the current electricity generation mix. These benefits align squarely with Pakistan’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle urban air pollution, while also contributing to energy security.
The EV transition is not only an environmental imperative but also a job creation engine. Setting up thousands of charging stations across urban centers, highways, and rural areas will require skilled technicians, electrical engineers, civil contractors, and IT specialists. Manufacturing of EV components, battery assembly, and maintenance services will expand employment opportunities in both white- and blue-collar sectors. The Economic Coordination Committee has already cleared a Rs 9 billion subsidy for rolling out electric bikes and rickshaws in FY 2025–26. The program targets the distribution of 116,000 e-bikes and 3,170 e-rickshaws/loaders, supported by interest-free loans and partial government subsidies. This will create jobs in assembly plants, service centers, and financing institutions while offering affordable mobility to the public.
Sardar Moazzam’s leadership at NEECA has been instrumental in connecting the dots between policy frameworks, investor confidence, and technical implementation. By facilitating one-window online registration, ensuring transparent licensing, and maintaining active engagement with stakeholders, he has created a regulatory environment that is predictable, investor-friendly, and aligned with long-term energy efficiency goals. His approach goes beyond paperwork. NEECA is working directly with companies to introduce battery swapping systems that can significantly cut charging times, an innovation particularly relevant for two- and three-wheelers, which make up the bulk of Pakistan’s vehicle fleet. The authority is also coordinating with power utilities to ensure grid readiness for the anticipated surge in electricity demand from EV charging.
Pakistan’s National Electric Vehicle Policy (2020–2025) sets ambitious targets: by 2030, 30% of new passenger car sales, 50% of two- and three-wheelers, and 50% of buses should be electric. The current pace of infrastructure expansion suggests that these goals, once considered overly optimistic, may now be within reach. With 3,800 investors ready to enter the market, tariff structures favorable to long-term profitability, and a strong institutional champion in NEECA, Pakistan’s EV future is taking shape faster than expected. The coming years will test the durability of these early gains, requiring continued policy support, investment in renewable energy generation, and integration of smart grid technologies. If the current trajectory holds, Pakistan could emerge as a regional leader in EV adoption, reducing its fuel import burden, improving air quality, and creating thousands of jobs. Much of this progress will trace back to the groundwork laid today—led by NEECA, driven by Sardar Moazzam’s vision, and supported by a government willing to embrace the economics of clean mobility.