PM Shehbaz calls for wider use of electric vehicles to reduce fuel costs

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday stressed the need to introduce environment-friendly electric vehicles across the country, saying the move would help conserve foreign exchange reserves amid the recent regional situation and rising global petroleum prices.

He was speaking at a ceremony held for the provision of eco-smart electric vehicles to the Islamabad Traffic Police. The prime minister said such energy-efficient measures should be adopted by all law enforcement agencies as well as the provinces.

Shehbaz said 15 electric vehicles had been provided by the interior ministry and noted that these vehicles operate on batteries without using petrol or oil. He added that another batch of vehicles would also be inducted soon.

Describing the step as important, the prime minister said such initiatives would have a positive effect on the country’s foreign reserves. He also congratulated Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his team for launching the initiative.

Federal ministers, senior Islamabad police officials and other relevant authorities attended the ceremony.

Earlier, Islamabad Police Inspector General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi briefed the prime minister on the initiative. He was informed that each vehicle staff would include a captain, a male responder, one responder and a driver, all of whom would wear a special uniform.

The briefing stated that the vehicles would be deployed on key avenues of the capital to help maintain smooth traffic flow.

Operational details shared at ceremony

According to the briefing, each vehicle can travel between 350 kilometres and 400 kilometres after a full charge. Fast charging takes 60 to 90 minutes, while regular charging requires between six and eight hours.

The prime minister was also informed that, compared to petrol-powered vehicles, each electric vehicle would save up to Rs0.55 million per month.

Officials further told him that the expenditure incurred on procuring these electric vehicles would be recovered within 13 to 14 months.

The ceremony focused on the use of electric vehicles as a cost-saving and energy-efficient option for public service, particularly in traffic management in the federal capital.