Govt Plans to Repurpose 3,400 Closed CNG Stations for EV Charging Hubs

Islamabad: The government is taking significant steps to boost the country’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, with plans to repurpose 3,400 closed CNG stations into potential EV charging hubs. The initiative is a part of the national initiative to increase the number of operational charging stations in the EV network, which presently stands at eight.

During Wednesday, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) reviewed a government proposal that involved a reduction in the basic electricity rates of EV charging stations from Rs45.55 per unit to Rs23.57 per unit.

However, NEPRA expressed apprehension regarding pricing controls and regulatory challenges, querying how operators would be prevented from arbitrarily establishing charging rates.

Currently, the cost of charging an electric vehicle (EV) is as high as Rs70 per unit, rendering it financially unfeasible for a significant number of individuals. The private sector’s investment in charging infrastructure would be stimulated by the reduction of tariffs, as emphasised by officials from the Power Division.

The government initiative aims to encourage the development of charging infrastructure and the growth of EV adoption across the nation.