E-bike subsidies

Such initiatives are necessary for a shift towards sustainable alternatives and to reduce dependence on fossil fuels

In a bid to reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption, the Ministry of Industries and Production has proposed a scheme to produce 100,000 e-bikes in 18 months. These e-bikes will be made economically feasible through a subsidy of Rs17.5 billion and citizens will have to pay an initial Rs10,000 while the rest will be paid through a 24-monthly instalment plan of Rs4,310 per month. Considering that the economic slowdown has reduced the sale of traditional motorbikes at the moment, this seems to be the perfect time to show people a possible alternative.

The transport sector contributes the most to Pakistan’s carbon footprint. Even though our country’s contribution globally is a meagre 2%, the effect it has locally will exacerbate since Pakistan remains most vulnerable to climate change. During the scorching summer season, the local temperature in major cities increases even more because of exhaust from transport vehicles. This scheme will be important in not just reforming the transport sector but also encouraging citizens to shift to sustainable alternatives in order to mitigate the impact of climate change. Apart from that, the initiative will particularly help students and salaried individuals who find it difficult to commute in mega-cities, particularly in Karachi where a large portion of the workforce resides. It is highly commendable that the scheme has a quota for transgenders, religious institutions and female students who are often excluded from such services.

While the investment is a rather hefty one, the government should consider that such initiatives are necessary if we are to shift towards sustainable alternatives and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. However, the problem still remains that these projects are sporadic and haphazard. The incumbent government should look towards combining them under a single overarching umbrella that is preferably tied to the department of climate change, which will aid in implementation and management. We hope that the plan gets the green light in a timely manner.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2023.

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