LAHORE: The Punjab province which remains one of the worst affected regions by alarming air pollution, has announced incorporating 26,000 electric vehicles into urban traffic.
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. According to caretaker Punjab Minister for Transport Ibrahim Hasan Murad, as many as 10,000 electric motorcycles will be provided to university students alone.
Furthermore, interest-free E-bikes will be given to women, three-wheeler bikes to the disabled and also interest-free E-rickshaws for deserving people.
The initiative would help combat pollution and addresses the root cause by targeting the 70–80% pollution contribution transportation sector. The minister said that another historic milestone was achieved with the issuance of electric vehicle (EV) licenses for the first time in Pakistan.
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He further said that five major cities, including Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Bahawalpur were designated as EV models.
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 assured.
