ISLAMABAD: China has stepped up its cooperation with Pakistan to combat rising air pollution and smog, introducing a series of zero-emission transport and urban mobility projects that align with Pakistan’s clean energy goals, according to a report published by Gwadar Pro on Monday.
Lahore, currently ranked among the world’s most polluted cities with an Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 400, has been at the centre of Pakistan’s worsening smog crisis.
Health experts have urged residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and wear masks, as PM2.5 concentrations in the air have reached hazardous levels.
To help address these challenges, China has been promoting electric mobility in Pakistan through the introduction of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), electric buses, e-scooters, and metro systems.
Chinese automobile manufacturers — including BYD, BAIC, Changan, MG, and Chery — have expanded operations in Pakistan, with several firms entering local joint ventures. BYD Pakistan and Mega Motor Company have begun delivering electric vehicles in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, aiming to establish up to 15 dealerships nationwide by the end of 2025.
Similarly, Chinese e-scooter brands such as Horwin, Yadea, and Evee have gained popularity among urban commuters, offering affordable, zero-emission alternatives with long battery life and smart connectivity features.
China’s support also extends to public transport, with more than 1,100 electric buses being introduced across Pakistan.
Recent deliveries include 45 buses in Rawalpindi and 21 in Quetta, with around 200 already operating in several Punjab districts. Sindh’s provincial government is also exploring Chinese-backed plans to establish an electric bus manufacturing facility.
The Orange Line Metro Train in Lahore — Pakistan’s first urban rail system built under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) — has further strengthened the country’s green transition. Powered entirely by electricity, the metro system has significantly reduced fuel emissions and road congestion, cutting an estimated 30,000 tons of greenhouse gases annually.
These initiatives align with Pakistan’s National Electric Vehicle Policy 2025–2030, which targets 30 percent of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030 and aims for net-zero transport emissions by 2060.
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