The Government of Punjab has launched its first official electric taxi (e-taxi) program under Vision Transport 2030, led by Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
This new scheme is part of Punjab’s wider plan to modernise public transport in Punjab, following the earlier launch of electric buses. It is also the first government-supported electric taxi project in Pakistan.
The provincial government has set aside Rs 4 billion for the project. In the first phase, 1,100 electric taxis will be given to drivers across the province. Each taxi can travel up to 300 kilometres on a single charge, making it cheaper to run and better for the environment than petrol or diesel cars.
To help people afford the vehicles, the government will provide a 50% down payment subsidy for male drivers and a 60% subsidy for female drivers. The remaining amount will be interest-free, as the government will pay the financing cost.
Passenger safety has also been considered. Every e-taxi will have a panic button connected to emergency services. More than 30% of the taxis are reserved for women, and there will be separate colour-coded taxis — light purple for women and green for men.
The main goals of the scheme are to reduce carbon emissions, create new job opportunities, and encourage more women to join the transport workforce.
However, some important details have not yet been shared. The government has not clearly announced: how drivers will apply and be selected, whether these taxis will be connected to a mobile app or a central booking system, what the official fare structure will be, and how many charging stations will be installed and where they will be located.
For the project to succeed, experts say that a strong charging network, driver training, and proper vehicle maintenance support will be essential across the province.
