In a country where power outages are common and roads are filled with cars that have been running for decades, the idea of electric vehicles feels both exciting and distant. Around the world, electric cars are being praised as the future of transportation, but in Pakistan the reality is much more complicated.
The promise of clean energy and lower running costs is attractive, yet the lack of charging facilities, the high initial cost, and limited access to modern technology make these vehicles out of reach for most people.
Hybrid vehicles, which use both petrol and electric power, seem to offer a more practical middle ground. They do not depend on charging stations and can still improve fuel economy while reducing emissions. Plug-in-hybrids that can be charged at home go a step further, but their prices, usually three to four million rupees higher than regular petrol cars, make them affordable only for a few. For the majority of Pakistanis, petrol cars remain the most realistic option.
This situation reminds us of the country’s earlier experience with compressed natural gas vehicles. The government once encouraged people to switch to CNG, calling it a cheaper and cleaner fuel. In the beginning the system worked well, with many new CNG stations and lower costs. But the plan failed when gas supplies became unreliable, leaving thousands of owners with expensive modified vehicles they could no longer use. That episode still serves as a lesson against adopting new technologies without ensuring proper infrastructure.
The discussion around electric vehicles faces similar challenges today. The idea of a cleaner transport future sounds appealing, but Pakistan is not ready for it yet. Charging stations are very few, and driving long distances outside major cities is still a concern. Even if the infrastructure improves, the high cost of electric and hybrid cars, along with the price of battery replacements, discourages most buyers. For now, the savings on fuel and maintenance do not make up for the higher purchase price.
The arrival of many foreign car brands has also increased pressure on Pakistan’s economy. Each new brand adds to the demand for foreign currency and contributes to a higher trade deficit. Pakistan does not need dozens of foreign car brands when existing manufacturers from China, Japan, and South Korea can already meet demand. Expanding the list further only drains valuable foreign exchange that could be used for other priorities.
The government’s recent plan to allow imports of vehicles older than five years may reduce prices in the short term but could worsen the balance of payments in the long run. It would be wise to wait and study the effects of this policy before moving forward. In the meantime, the focus should be on building domestic manufacturing capacity. Producing more cars locally would reduce dependence on imports, save foreign exchange, and create jobs for local workers.
Policy decisions should address the needs of ordinary citizens, not only the wealthy. With unemployment and poverty already high, luxury electric or hybrid vehicles do little for the average person. Pakistan must keep up with global trends, but it cannot ignore its ground realities. These new talking cars remind me of childhood television shows like Knight Rider and Airwolf. I was fascinated by the idea of a car that could talk or a helicopter that could fly on its own. Those fantasies have now become reality in some countries, but for most Pakistanis they still seem far away.
In the end, electric cars represent a cleaner future, but hybrid and plug-in-hybrid vehicles are more practical for the present. The high price difference of several million rupees remains the biggest barrier. Pakistan must take a gradual approach, improving charging facilities, offering incentives for hybrids, and supporting electric bikes and public transport as affordable solutions. At the same time, the government should encourage local manufacturing instead of welcoming new foreign car brands. Before we dream of electric mobility, we must first build the road that will support it.
As Pakistan stands between the old fuel and the new grid, the decisions made today will shape not only how people travel but also how the country grows.
The move toward clean transport cannot simply be imported. It has to be developed locally, step by step, with focus on affordability, planning, and public need. The real success of this transition will not depend on how many electric cars we buy, but on how wisely we prepare the ground beneath their wheels.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The writer is an expert on institutional development, finance and governance