Latest news with #NEVP
Express Tribune
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Punjab extends vehicle emission testing deadline to August 31
Listen to article The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the deadline for vehicle emission testing until 31 August, providing motorists with additional time to meet environmental standards. The original deadline of 30 June was pushed back due to an overwhelming response at testing booths, according to Imran Hamid Sheikh, Director General of the EPA Punjab. "The extension is intended to facilitate the public and ensure a smoother testing process," he added. In the past 50 days, over 123,000 vehicles have undergone testing across the province. Among them, approximately 2,000 vehicles were found to be emitting pollutants beyond acceptable limits. Owners of these vehicles have been issued warnings and advised to make necessary repairs or tune their engines to reduce emissions. Read: Smoke emitting vehicles' owners given 15 days deadline Emission testing is a scientific procedure that measures the levels of toxic gases and particulate matter released from vehicle exhausts. Key pollutants assessed during testing include carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). If a vehicle fails the test, the owner is instructed to take corrective action. According to DG EPA, vehicles manufactured in 2022 or later are exempt from testing as they comply with modern Euro emission standards and come with in-built emission control technologies. As per statistics obtained from the Punjab Excise Department, the province has 20m registered motorcycles and five million four-wheeled vehicles, with Lahore alone accounting for 5.2m motorcycles and 1.3m four-wheeled vehicles. The EPA has urged vehicle owners to utilise the extended timeline to contribute to cleaner air. Free testing booths have been set up across Punjab, including 20 locations in Lahore, where motorists can have their vehicles tested without any additional fee. This initiative is part of Punjab's broader strategy to combat air pollution, particularly in Lahore and other urban areas where air quality has become a significant public health concern. Read more: Govt launches National Electric Vehicle Policy In a separate development, a few days ago, the Government of Pakistan launched the New Electric Vehicle Policy (NEVP), which aims to stimulate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across the country. Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, stated that the policy is designed to ensure a just and inclusive transition to cleaner mobility. The initiative also seeks to reduce the country's dependency on fossil fuels, encourage local innovation, and create new green jobs. "The government is stepping up efforts to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as a key part of the country's clean energy and climate resilience agenda," Shaikh remarked. With the transport sector being a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and urban air pollution, the shift towards EVs marks a significant move towards a more sustainable, healthier, and economically viable future. The NEVP aligns with the broader strategy to combat air pollution, especially in urban centres like Lahore, where air quality continues to be a serious concern.
Express Tribune
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
'E-vehicle policy to ensure greener Pakistan'
The government has stepped up policy-level efforts to promote electric vehicles in the country, as it offers a wide array of benefits across environmental, economic, public health and industrial development sectors. This was stated by Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination on Sunday in the context of the federal government's New Electric Vehicle Policy (NEVP) launched on Friday. The policy aims to ensure a just and inclusive transition to cleaner mobility, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, stimulate local innovation and create new green jobs, he said. "The Government of Pakistan is stepping up efforts to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as a key part of the country's clean energy and climate resilience agenda. With the transport sector being a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and urban air pollution, the shift towards EVs marks a significant move towards a sustainable, healthier, and economically viable," the official remarked. He further said that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC)) has already reaffirmed its commitment at various forums to promoting EVs in the country as a strategic priority in the country's transition toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient future as part of global efforts to cut heat-trapping and climate-altering vehicular carbon emissions and achieve environmental and urban sustainability. Saleem Shaikh said, "Recognising the transport sector as among the key contributors to air pollution and climate change-causing greenhouse gas emissions, the ministry would now actively support every possible effort for the implementation of the New Electric Vehicle Policy 2025-2030 to drive the country toward a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable mobility system. Director General of the ministry, Mohammad Asif Sahibzada, pointed out that the Ministry of Industries and Production, MoCC&EC and other key industrial and non-industrial stakeholders were working in close collaboration to implement the new policy. He further said that the policy would go a long way in bringing more and more e-vehicles onto the country's roads as it envisions 30 per cent of all new vehicles sold by 2030 to be electric - including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses, and cars. "This transition is not only vital for addressing adverse impacts of transport sector-related carbon emissions that contribute to climate change but also crucial for ensuring a clean, efficient and inclusive transport future for all Pakistanis," said Asif Sahibzada. Talking about the environmental and public health benefits, Sahibzada highlighted that EVs emit zero tailpipe pollutants, significantly reducing urban smog and climate-warming emissions. This shift supports the country's commitments under the Paris Agreement and its national climate change targets, he added. "Cleaner air means fewer respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. With fewer emissions on the road, citizens — especially children and the elderly — will benefit from improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs," he remarked. He further said that electric vehicles undoubtedly offer long-term savings due to lower fuel and maintenance costs. They reduce Pakistan's dependency on imported fossil fuels, helping stabilise the economy and protect against global energy price shocks, he added. The ministry's Director for Urban Affairs and Urban Air Pollution Experts, Muhammad Azeem Khoso said that cleaner air means fewer respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.
