ISLAMABAD – Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers have sounded the alarm over the inadequate development of EV charging infrastructure in Pakistan, warning that the shortage of chargers could stall the country’s transition to electric mobility. Industry representatives made their concerns clear during a consultative meeting with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCCEC), emphasising that the lack of charging stations – especially along major highways and motorways — is a growing impediment to sustainable EV sector growth.

The meeting, chaired by MoCCEC Secretary Aisha Humera Moriani, brought together senior government officials and EV industry stakeholders to discuss strategic measures for accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles, retrofitting existing fossil fuel vehicles, and improving financing mechanisms for the sector. Representatives stressed that modern and reliable charging infrastructure is essential to support both current and future EV owners, and that its absence risks limiting the practical appeal of EVs for everyday use.

Secretary Moriani acknowledged that the insufficient charging network, particularly in urban areas, remains a significant barrier to the EV transition and that without substantial investment and regulatory support, broader adoption could be out of reach. The EV makers also called for clearer policy direction and enhanced incentives to attract private investment into EV infrastructure, aligning with Pakistan’s broader EV charging targets under the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Policy 2025–2030, which aims to expand charging stations to support growing adoption.

Industry concerns come amid ongoing efforts to build out EV charging infrastructure in the country, which remains highly concentrated in large cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad while rural and intercity corridors lack adequate facilities. Analysts say that improving the charging network is critical to reducing “range anxiety,” a major deterrent for potential EV buyers.

Manufacturers also highlighted the need for financing and policy incentives to make EVs – and the charging infrastructure that supports them — more commercially viable. They pointed to challenges including grid connection delays, limited financing options for consumers, and regulatory complexities that currently dissuade potential infrastructure investors.

The meeting underscored that while Pakistan’s EV market is still in its early stages, coordinated action between government and industry is necessary to build the infrastructure backbone needed to drive EV adoption at scale.