Lahore/Islamabad:
The Pakistan transport sector is constantly changing gears from traditional engines with fuel to electric vehicles (EV), driven by a combination of local innovation, international associations and a growing emphasis on sustainability.
Leading this position is the Indrive Global Mobility Platform, which has launched multiple initiatives to accelerate the adoption of EV, direct cost savings for drivers, reduce carbon emissions and align with the vision of the Government of the Government of 30% EV penetration by 2030.
“The EV market in Pakistan is ready for growth,” said Aman Alekseev, impact project manager in INDRive, in an interview with Express PAkGazette. “New local manufacturers are emerging, and Chinese companies are entering the market. We are building collaborations to make this transition inclusive and scalable,” he added.
One of its emblematic projects implies associating with new local companies to offer drivers a affordable path to EVs. Through a modernization model, gasoline motorcycles become electric to a fraction of the cost of buying new ones. Equipped with interchangeable batteries, these bicycles are supported by 21 exchange stations only in Islamabad.
For six months, 60 converted motorcycles have traveled collectively more than 400,000 kilometers, saving the drivers of approximately RS1.4 million in fuel and maintenance costs. On average, passengers save a monthly 40% compared to gasoline bicycles.
To further relieve financial burden, the company with its partners is testing a scheme ‘Buy now, pay later’ (BNPL), allowing drivers to buy new electric bicycles with minimal initial costs, said Alekseev.
The indrive is also aimed at four -wheel EVs through other associations, which plans to display 50 electric cars each in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for transport services. “Initiatives such as these generate trust and awareness,” said Alekseev. “They show that electric vehicles are not just a concept, they are a reality that benefits common people.”
The company is the first in Pakistan to integrate AI into travel transport operations, taking advantage of automatic learning for smarter shipping, fraud detection and better customer experience, “said the head of the country in Pakistan Muhammad Awais Saeed while talking to a group of journalists.
It is currently dedicated to discussions with stakeholders to introduce electric vehicles and sustainable transport alternatives, “he said, he added that development projects include bicycle exchange stations, modernization of existing bicycles and potential collaboration with the local car manufacturer Honri in its EV model.
He also caught attention to some bureaucratic speed potholes with which the company is dealing with Pakistan.
