Lahore (ANI): As Lahore continues to battle dangerously high levels of air pollution, experts believe that transitioning from petrol-powered rickshaws to electric three-wheelers could be a game-changer in improving the city’s environmental health. With over 1.55 million three-wheelers on its roads, the city’s auto rickshaws and motorcycle rickshaws are among the leading contributors to deteriorating air quality.
According to Syed Naseemur Rehman Shah, former director of the Punjab Environmental Protection Department, more than 50% of Lahore’s pollution load originates from vehicular emissions, primarily from three-wheelers. “Replacing conventional rickshaws with electric models can significantly reduce both air and noise pollution,” he told WealthPK.
Despite the introduction of electric rickshaws by local manufacturers, including Sazgar Auto Industries, their adoption remains sluggish due to high upfront costs. “An electric rickshaw costs around Rs1.2 million compared to Rs450,000 for a petrol-powered one,” said Mian Muhammad Ali Hameed, Executive Director of Sazgar. While companies like Foodpanda have started purchasing e-rickshaws for deliveries, individual buyers have been slow to follow suit.
Hameed noted that Pakistan currently has about 45,000 electric two- and three-wheelers, representing just 0.16% of the country’s total vehicles. He emphasized that scaling up production is feasible, but requires strong government support, particularly in the form of financial incentives for buyers.
Rickshaw drivers themselves are open to the idea of switching to electric vehicles, drawn by the promise of zero emissions, lower noise levels, and reduced maintenance costs. However, the high purchase price remains a major hurdle. “The government should subsidize the cost of electric rickshaws and offer installment payment options,” suggested Majeed Ghauri, Chairman of the Awami Rickshaw Union. He also called for insurance coverage for e-rickshaw batteries, the most expensive component of the vehicle.
To encourage EV adoption, Pakistan’s government introduced a policy last year targeting the conversion of one-third of all new vehicles to electric by 2030. In Punjab, a special initiative has been launched to distribute electric bikes and rickshaws under a self-employment scheme.
Experts believe that with swift implementation of supportive policies, Lahore can not only combat its air quality crisis but also become a leader in electric mobility within the region.