Sindh govt to launch Pakistan's first EV, pink EV taxis, says minister

• Govt to also launch pink EV taxis, announces Sharjeel Memon.
• Minister did not disclose any timeline for EV vehicles' launch.
• Karachi received 30 hybrid, 50 electric buses earlier this year.

KARACHI: The Sindh government on Saturday announced that it would soon launch Pakistan's first EV taxis in the province.

"Pakistan’s first EV taxis and Pink EV taxis will be started soon by Transport Department Government Of Sindh," Sindh Minister for Information, Excise, Narcotics and Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

The announcement comes as province's largest city, Karachi, suffers from high air pollution levels due to an overwhelmingly large number of gasoline-engine vehicles in light of an arguably insufficient mass-transit system to meet its needs.

However, the minister did not disclose any timeline for EV vehicles' launch in Sindh. 

The introduction of EV taxis is likely to not only address the air pollution issue but might also provide an alternate and hopefully cheaper commute option to the masses owing to the soaring fuel prices which not only have resulted in high fares being charged by various online ride-hailing apps but also costs heavily to private vehicle owners as well.

Furthermore, the introduction of electric vehicles also falls in line with the global trend and shift towards environment-friendly vehicles as several countries around the world strive to shift away from fossil fuels.

Earlier this year, Karachi received 30 hybrid and 50 electric buses as part of the Peoples Bus Service fleet being run in the city — pushing the total number to 300 vehicles.