Range-extended EVs can save $1b

Industry analysts estimate that Pakistan's gross fuel import bill could shrink by more than $1 billion if 30,000 range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) enter the market every year for half a decade. In that scenario, the fleet would expand to 150,000 vehicles and replace 1.2 billion litres of petrol over time. The emissions avoided would total about 2.7 million tonnes compared with petrol cars, though the result depends on mileage, charging sources and how much the vehicles run electrically.

The Express Tribune also cited Future on Wheels, a December 2024 policy viewpoint from the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) written by Dr Usman Qadir, Mohammad Shaaf Najib and Saddam Hussein. Qadir and Najib say petroleum makes up 30% of Pakistan's total import bill. They argue that quicker EV uptake would shield the current account from foreign exchange outflows that global oil shocks make volatile.

Industry insiders describe REEVs as a practical bridge while the charging network is still developing. The vehicles use an electric motor to drive the wheels, with an onboard fuel-powered generator supplying power when the battery needs support. Newer models can reportedly manage roughly 150-180 kilometres on battery power in suitable conditions, so home charging could meet many daily travel needs.