Registration of electric vehicles begins in Sindh

• Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Tuesday announces that the registration of electric vehicles and motorcycles has started.
• The minister says decision has been taken keeping in view the increasing demand from people buying electric vehicles and motorcycles. 
• In July, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched Pakistan's first-ever environmentally-friendly electric motorbike (E-bike).

KARACHI: Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Tuesday announced that the registration of electric vehicles and motorcycles has started.

The decision has been taken keeping in view the increasing demand from people buying electric vehicles and motorcycles, as these customers have been facing difficulties due to the delay in the registration process.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) have already attracted the interest of large populations worldwide, and the Pakistani public is also excited about the prospect.

Earlier in December, the government had approved the country’s first five-year Electric Vehicle (EV) policy for cars to facilitate the auto industry in meeting the international standards of production and supply of electric vehicles.

Pakistan’s first E-bike

In July, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched Pakistan's first-ever environmentally-friendly electric motorbike (E-bike).

PM Imran Khan had said e-vehicles were important for Pakistan as they would help reduce environmental pollution.

The launching of the E-bike was a part of the present government’s five-year Pakistan Electric Vehicles Policy 2020-2025, approved last year and envisaged targeting a robust electric vehicle market having a 30% and 90% share in passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks by 2030 and 2040, respectively.

The E-bike had been manufactured by a Pakistani company, Jolta Electric, and was considered as a major step towards electrifying the country’s automobile industry.

The E-bike is available in various models, including JE-70, JE-70 L, JE-70 D, JE-100 L, JE-125 L, JE-Scooty, JE-Sports Bike. It is energy efficient and can be charged overnight with other features such as no clutch and gear and low maintenance.

Various models of Jolta E-bikes have different speed specifications from 10 to 60 kilometres per hour and can cover a distance after full charge from 60 to 100 kilometres.