Pakistan: Govt is Planning to Launch Electric Taxis in Punjab
Wire desk byline Sourced from Xinhua, Dawn, Arab News, Anadolu and Minute Mirror. Translated and abridged by the GSRRA Desk.
The Punjab government has announced an electric taxi service across the province, modeled after the successful electric vehicle (EV) taxi programs in China. This groundbreaking project, aimed at addressing environmental and economic challenges, will be spearheaded by Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan under the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The Transport Department has already begun preparatory work for the program by collaborating with prominent electric vehicle manufacturers. Deewan Group and the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) are interested in the project. These collaborations will play a crucial role in bringing this initiative to fruition.
The electric taxi service will be implemented in phases, beginning with Lahore and divisional headquarters. Subsequent phases will expand the service to other major cities across Punjab. With a commitment to round-the-clock operations, the program aims to provide continuous transportation options for residents.
To encourage participation and make electric vehicle ownership more accessible, the initiative will offer flexible payment options for drivers, including affordable down payments and installment plans. This approach is designed to support individuals interested in joining the service while fostering greater adoption of environmentally friendly vehicles.
This initiative comes in response to the increasing levels of air pollution caused by vehicle emissions in urban areas. By transitioning to electric vehicles, the government aims to significantly reduce air pollution and its harmful effects on public health. Additionally, the program is expected to create new job opportunities in the transportation sector, further supporting economic growth.
While the exact launch dates and pricing details for the electric taxis have yet to be announced, the initiative has already generated considerable anticipation. The Punjab government’s electric taxi service represents a crucial step toward sustainable urban development and environmental preservation.
Reference Link:- https://propakistani.pk/2024/12/30/govt-is-planning-to-launch-electric-taxis-in-punjab/
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
