Experts Urge Sustainable Roadmap as Pakistan Advances NEV Policy Framework

Industry experts and policy analysts are calling on the Pakistani government to develop a comprehensive and sustainable roadmap to support the country's transition to new energy vehicles as the National Electric Vehicle policy takes shape. Stakeholders have warned that without coordinated infrastructure development, local manufacturing incentives, and consumer financing mechanisms, the policy risks remaining aspirational rather than transformative.

Experts have highlighted several structural gaps in the current policy framework, including the absence of a coherent charging infrastructure rollout plan, insufficient fiscal incentives for domestic component manufacturing, and a lack of clarity on import duties for EV parts. Without addressing these bottlenecks, they argue, Pakistan's NEV transition could become dependent on finished vehicle imports, undermining both industrial development and the current account.

The call for a sustainable roadmap also reflects concerns about grid readiness. With Pakistan still managing significant electricity supply challenges, experts caution that a rapid EV uptake without parallel investment in grid modernisation and renewable energy integration could compound existing power sector stress rather than alleviate it.

Nevertheless, proponents of the NEV policy view it as a strategic opportunity for Pakistan to reduce its long-term dependence on imported petroleum, lower urban air pollution, and attract foreign investment in green manufacturing. The policy debate signals growing seriousness within government and industry about Pakistan's place in the global clean energy transition.