PM urges nationwide shift to EVs to cut fuel costs, protect economy
SCREENGRAB
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday underscored the need to introduce environment-friendly electric vehicles (EVs) across the country, citing the evolving regional situation and rising global petroleum prices as key concerns, and stressing the importance of conserving foreign exchange reserves.
Addressing a ceremony marking the provision of eco-smart electric vehicles to the Islamabad Capital Traffic Police, PM Shehbaz said such energy-saving initiatives should be replicated by all law enforcement agencies and provinces.
He noted that 15 electric vehicles had been provided by the interior ministry, which run on batteries without the use of petrol or oil, adding that another batch would be inducted soon.
"اسلام آباد پولیس نے پاکستان میں الیکٹرک وہیکلز کے نظام کو آج لانچ کر دیا ہے۔ 15 الیکٹرک گاڑیوں پر مشتمل پہلی کھیپ اسلام آباد کی پولیسنگ، ٹریفک کنٹرول اور لاء اینڈ آرڈر کے لیے ناصرف انتہائی معاون ثابت ہو گی بلکہ یہ گاڑیاں موجودہ تیل کی قیمتوں کے پیشِ نظر قیمتی زرمبادلہ بچانے میں… pic.twitter.com/flmVVhPqdo
Terming the initiative significant, PM Shehbaz said such measures would have a positive impact on the country’s foreign reserves. On the occasion, he also congratulated Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his team for launching the initiative.
Premier said work on fuel economy and the electric vehicles policy had begun before the current regional crisis, resulting in the procurement of these vehicles.
Federal ministers, senior Islamabad police officials and other relevant authorities were present at the ceremony.
The provision of eco-smart electric vehicles is part of the prime minister’s broader vision and the government’s energy-saving policy.
Earlier, Inspector General of Police Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi briefed the prime minister on the initiative. Each vehicle will be staffed by a captain, a male responder, a responder and a driver, all wearing a special uniform.
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The vehicles would be deployed on key avenues of the capital to ensure smooth traffic flow. Each vehicle, after a full charge, can cover a distance of 350 to 400 kilometres. Fast charging takes 60 to 90 minutes, while regular charging requires between six to eight hours. Compared to petrol-powered vehicles, each electric vehicle is expected to save up to Rs0.55 million per month.
The prime minister was further informed that the vehicles would recover their procurement costs within 13 to 14 months. Another 15 vehicles are set to be added to the traffic police fleet as part of the federal government’s modern traffic management plan.