KARACHI: The Sindh government announced its plans to introduce Pakistan’s inaugural fleet of electric vehicle (EV) taxis in the province.
“Pakistan’s first EV taxis and Pink EV taxis will soon be launched by the Transport Department, Government of Sindh,” Sindh Minister for Information, Excise, Narcotics, and Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon announced in a post on social media platform X (Twitter).
The introduction of EV taxis is expected to not only address the air pollution issue but also provide an alternative and potentially cheaper commute option for the masses. This is due to soaring fuel prices, which have resulted in high fares charged by various online ride-hailing apps and significant costs for private vehicle owners.
The announcement comes as Karachi, the province’s largest city, grapples with high air pollution levels due to an overwhelmingly large number of gasoline-engine vehicles and an arguably insufficient mass-transit system to meet its needs.
Furthermore, the introduction of electric vehicles aligns with the global trend and shift towards environmentally friendly vehicles, as several countries around the world strive to move away from fossil fuels.
It should be noted that earlier this year, Karachi received 30 hybrid and 50 electric buses as part of the Peoples Bus Service fleet, bringing the total number of vehicles to 300.
