Punjab govt set to roll out first e-taxi service

Punjab has taken a major step toward launching Pakistan’s first e-taxi service, with the provincial government approving financing of up to Rs6.5 million for electric vehicles.

According to reports, a working paper has been finalized for the provision of 1,100 vehicles to kickstart the service in Lahore.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has formally approved the project and is expected to inaugurate its online portal after her return from Japan.

Under the scheme, the Punjab government will bear the interest cost of the financing, while also contributing Rs585,000 as a 20 percent down payment.

Seven categories of vehicles, ranging in price from Rs4 million to Rs10 million, will be made available for the project.

Banks will provide loans of up to Rs6.5 million for the purchase of electric taxis, with buyers covering the remaining cost in case of higher-priced vehicles.

In this regard, Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan said that Punjab will spend up to Rs2 billion for the implementation of the electric taxi service project.

Bilal Akbar Khan said Electric Taxi service project will include 1100 Chinese vehicles.

Initially, electric taxi service will be operational in Lahore, Bilal Akbar Khan said.

He said charging stations have been set up at 18 locations in Lahore, while the number of charging stations will be increased gradually.