Indigenous automobile industry opposes EVs

ISLAMABAD: The automobile industry in Pakistan has opposed the proposed electric vehicle (EV) policy, industry representatives told The Express Tribune.

Expressing concerns over the proposed policy, they said it is in contradiction of Auto-Industry Development Policy 2016-21.

They further said that the proposed EV policy was against Make in Pakistan slogan of the government. EV policies in the US, China, India and many other countries have been devised in a manner so as not to hurt the indigenous automobile sector. However, in Pakistan, EV policy depends on imports.

The biggest issue with the EV policy is that it promotes import of completely built units instead of local manufacturing.

They said that 30% components of EVs include battery, motor and the battery management system, while 70% components are those of normal cars, which are already being produced locally for the locally assembled vehicles.

The policymakers should not emphasise on import of CBUs, instead focus on local assembly and import of 30% components only, they said.

Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) ex-chairman Mashood Khan EV is the future. It needs long term planning, he said adding EVs should be introduced gradually over a period of seven to 10 years.

“Our market is limited to 0.25 million cars per year, we should target the whole region and become exporters of EVs,” he said.

Mashood said that before bringing in EVs, the infrastructure should be in place like electric chargers.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2019.