Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has instructed Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan to roll out an e-taxi service across the province, modeled on China’s e-taxi system.
The Punjab transport department has already started laying the foundation for the project and is in talks with several electric vehicle manufacturers.
Major stakeholders such as the Deewan Group and the National Radio and Telecommunications Corporation (NRTC) have shown interest in partnering for the initiative, according to a local media report.
In the initial phase, the e-taxi service will be launched in Lahore and divisional headquarters, with plans to extend the service to other major cities in Punjab. The service will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering citizens an affordable and ecological transportation alternative.
Officials anticipate that the introduction of e-taxis will improve access to cost-effective travel options and slightly impact employment in the traditional taxi industry. This project is part of the government’s broader effort to promote sustainable urban mobility across the province.
Additionally, the Punjab government has started procurement of electric buses for Faisalabad and Bahawalpur. This initiative aims to address important transportation issues, including a shortage of quality public transportation, heavy traffic congestion, and environmental concerns such as smog.
The project prioritizes sustainability by introducing environmentally friendly electric buses into public transportation in these cities. To ensure high quality standards, the procurement process will include rigorous prequalification of companies, based on strict criteria.
Eligible companies must meet several requirements: a minimum net worth of $200 million, an annual turnover of $600 million in bus production, and at least five years of experience in bus manufacturing (7.5 meters or further).
