Introduction of E-Buses in Pakistan’s Urban Centers: Progress, Challenges and Road Ahead
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65755/jpa-20254601-99Keywords:
Electric Vehicles (EVs), sustainable transport, public-private partnerships, renewable energy, local manufacturing, climate policy, charging infrastructureAbstract
This paper explores the present status of electric bus adoption in Pakistan, focusing on Lahore’s electric bus project as a case study. Using a mixed-methods approach and drawing from regional experiences in China, India, and Bangladesh, it assesses the environmental impacts and strategic potential of electric mobility in the public sector. The study highlights existing regulatory and infrastructural challenges, emphasizing the need for a liberalized policy regime, greater public-private collaboration, and access to international development finance. Key frameworks such as the National Electric Vehicle Policy and Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are examined to understand their role in enabling green mobility. The case of Lahore provides practical insights into implementation barriers and policy coordination gaps. The study concludes with recommendations to expand renewable-powered charging infrastructure, promote local manufacturing to reduce import dependence, and leverage both federal development programs and global financing to scale electric bus deployment. Pakistan can learn lessons from the success of China’s large-scale adoption of EV public transport systems to India’s Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) project. These steps are vital for achieving environmental sustainability, enhancing urban transport, and supporting Pakistan’s transition to a cleaner, more resilient economy.
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