The Punjab government has entered a decisive stage of its first electric taxi initiative, with officials confirming that electronic balloting will soon be conducted to select the initial beneficiaries of the province’s green transport programme. The development was shared during a high level steering committee meeting chaired by Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan, where authorities reviewed progress and preparations for the next phase of implementation. The scheme has drawn significant public attention and is being positioned as a key step toward cleaner urban mobility and technology driven public transport solutions in Pakistan’s most populous province.
Officials briefed the committee that the response to the electric taxi programme has exceeded expectations. More than 66,000 individuals have completed initial registrations, while over 28,000 applicants have finalized submissions that are now undergoing detailed data verification. The scrutiny process is being carried out to ensure transparency, eligibility, and financial compliance before moving to the electronic draw. The Bank of Punjab is playing a central role in reviewing applications for creditworthiness and regulatory requirements, a step officials say is essential given the scale of public interest and the financial structure of the scheme.
Backed by a government subsidy of Rs3.5 billion, the electric taxi programme is designed to serve multiple objectives. Alongside modernising urban transport, the initiative aims to reduce emissions from conventional fuel vehicles and address deteriorating air quality in major cities. The government plans to introduce Chinese sourced electric vehicles as part of the initial rollout, setting a benchmark for sustainable mobility in the province. Minister Bilal Akbar Khan told committee members that the programme also focuses on economic empowerment, particularly for youth and women, by creating access to structured and sustainable income opportunities within the transport sector.
The pilot phase of the scheme will involve the distribution of 1,100 electric taxis. Of these, 700 units are allocated to fleet owners who are required to operate a minimum of 10 vehicles, while 400 units are reserved for individual operators. To promote gender inclusion in a traditionally male dominated industry, 100 of the individual operator slots have been reserved exclusively for women. The financial model has been structured to reduce barriers for lower income applicants. The provincial government will cover the full interest cost on loans, offering a five year interest free financing arrangement. Applicants are typically required to provide 30 percent equity, but the government will fund half of this for men and 60 percent for women, while fleet owners will receive subsidies ranging from 30 to 40 percent depending on fleet size.
Officials acknowledged that the move to electronic balloting was slightly delayed from the original November schedule due to the volume of applications and the need for a comprehensive verification process. Once the draw is completed, successful applicants will be contacted to submit down payments. Authorities estimate that the first batch of electric taxis will begin operating on Punjab’s roads within three to four months after payments are finalized. The vehicles will be equipped with real time tracking systems and panic buttons to enhance driver and passenger safety. To support daily operations, the government is planning to establish a dedicated charging infrastructure across major urban centres, addressing concerns related to vehicle range and operational continuity.
Under the programme’s legal framework, ownership of the vehicles will remain with Bank of Punjab until the completion of 57 equal monthly instalments. To encourage adoption, the government has waived registration fees and initial token taxes. While taxis will be allowed to operate across Punjab, individual operators must be registered with a recognised ride hailing platform to ensure integration with the digital economy. As the balloting date approaches, the Transport Department has launched an online portal and helpline to guide applicants through the final stages of the process and provide timely support.
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