ISLAMABAD: Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain said on Monday that electric-vehicle charging stations set up by Chinese company StarCharge would strengthen Pakistan's EV infrastructure, state media reported. He was speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between StarCharge and McDonald's Pakistan.
The minister said charging along motorways is especially important.
Rana Tanveer said Pakistan had launched an EV initiative under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who wants 30% of the country's vehicles, including cars, motorcycles and three-wheelers, to be electric. He said he had drafted and announced the EV policy as industries minister, under which electric motorcycles were also distributed.
The minister said an accessible charging network is essential if electric vehicles are to become practical and popular, since charging difficulties hurt their usability. He said the government has made charging facilities at major shopping malls and high-rise buildings part of approval requirements involving the Lahore Development Authority and the Capital Development Authority.
Despite improvements in driving range, he said, charging infrastructure remains particularly important on motorways and for long-distance travel.
Rana Tanveer said he had visited StarCharge's factory in China and described it as one of the leading EV charging companies. He said the government had invited the company to set up charging stations in Pakistan.