Powering the future

The Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 adopted by UN member-states has shifted the world towards a more sustainable and environment friendly transportation sector.

Electric vehicles (EV) are considered as an excellent innovation in this regard. EVs are likely going to become a mass-market product despite some concerns about the pace of growth. Pakistan is also exploring the potential of EVs but despite various benefits, their adoption in Pakistan faces significant challenges.

The primary challenge is the limited number of charging stations to facilitate the operation of EVs. Power supply in Pakistan is often unreliable which aggravates the issue of limited charging infrastructure.

Second, lack of awareness among the public about technology is another challenge. This limited knowledge makes it difficult to promote the adoption of EVs, especially when fossil fuel powered vehicles have been the norm for decades.

Third, EVs are expensive and not easily accessible to the people. Their manufacturing is dependent on imports, thus making them vulnerable to foreign exchange rate fluctuation.

These challenges, coupled with the country’s economic condition, demand a workable solution to facilitate the adoption of EVs in Pakistan. Public Private Partnership (PPP) can be a viable option to tackle the challenges as PPP is an arrangement for coordination and cooperation of the private and public sectors around the world.

PPP has enhanced the economic value of different projects and contributed to the growth of infrastructure projects in particular. The main idea of the PPP scheme is public and private sector collaboration with different tiers of responsibilities and involvement as well as to provide public and infrastructure services more proficiently

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are crucial for addressing the challenges associated with electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Pakistan. First, in terms of infrastructure development, PPPs can be pivotal in establishing a comprehensive charging network, significantly alleviating the pressure on the government to meet the growing demand for charging infrastructure. A well-structured PPP model that integrates the private sector can expedite this process, ensuring that the infrastructure challenge is effectively addressed.

Second, affordability is another key area where PPPs can make a difference. By offering financing options, subsidies, or incentives, PPPs can help make EVs more accessible to a broader population. A carefully designed PPP model can promote local assembly and manufacturing of EVs, reducing dependency on imports and making them more cost-effective.

Third, the Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) of Pakistan can play a vital role in formulating supportive policies, including tax incentives, subsidies, and regulations that encourage EV adoption. A coordinated awareness campaign, potentially led through PPPs, can educate the public on the benefits of EVs, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower operating costs.

PPPs also offer a valuable opportunity to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors in promoting EVs for public transportation, such as buses and taxis, to reduce emissions and operating costs. Lastly, PPPs can drive investment in research and development, enhancing EV technology to better suit Pakistan’s unique conditions.

Some suggested a potential PPP model which can be adopted in Pakistan to favour EV adoption. This includes: oint ventures between government, private companies, and investors; concessions and build-operate-transfer (BOT) models for infrastructure development; public-private joint ventures for local manufacturing and assembly; and collaborative R&D initiatives.

So while EVs face significant challenges in Pakistan, public-private partnerships can help overcome these hurdles. By investing in infrastructure, affordability, awareness, and local manufacturing, PPPs can pave the way for a sustainable and environment friendly transportation sector in Pakistan.

The government, private sector, and public must work together to create a conducive environment for EV adoption, ensuring a cleaner and greener future for generations to come. The PPPA needs to consider the viability and execution methodology to undertake EV projects via proper PPP models in Pakistan.

The writer is an independent

consultant and can be reached at: waseemalitipu@gmail.com