Substandard batteries risk EV confidence

LAHORE:

Director General Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) Abdul Waheed Khan has warned the government against supporting substandard electric vehicles (EVs) under its subsidy scheme, saying it could destroy consumer confidence and derail the shift to clean mobility.

He said that despite government subsidies, buyers still pay a large amount from their own pockets and must not be forced to purchase EVs fitted with unreliable batteries sold as advanced technology. "Over 90% of electric two-wheelers being sold in Pakistan use lead-acid batteries with a thin graphene coating. It's a hoax," he said. Waheed added that once consumers lose trust after buying poor-quality vehicles, they will never return to the EV market, undoing years of progress.

Under the Pakistan Accelerated Vehicle Electrification (PAVE) Programme 2025-30, only EVs using lithium or advanced battery technologies qualify for subsidies worth Rs122 billion. Lithium-ion batteries offer higher energy storage, faster charging, longer life, and efficiency, he said.

He noted that no local manufacturer offers more than a 24-month battery warranty, whereas lithium batteries carry at least five-year warranties globally.

Waheed also criticised distorted production figures in some reports, urging the government to ensure accurate information and spend national resources only on proven, safe technologies.