Why Electric Bikes Make Economic Sense in Pakistan | Faraz Zaidi

[_NOBODY_]

Why Electric Bikes Make Economic Sense in Pakistan | Faraz Zaidi​

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Pakistan is at a turning point in mobility. With rising fuel prices, growing economic pressure, and increasing demand for affordable transport, electric vehicles—especially two and three wheelers—are emerging as a powerful alternative.

In this episode of All Things Money, host Fatima Attarwala sits down with Faraz Zaidi, Chairman of Wasl Mobility Modaraba, a company financing two and three wheelers in Pakistan. The discussion explores how electrification is reshaping mobility, why Pakistan’s motorcycle market is central to this transition, and how economics—not just environment—are driving EV adoption.

00:00 Introduction & Guest Overview
00:32 Why Pakistan is a Two-Wheeler Market
01:12 Economics of Electric Bikes
02:08 Cost vs Fuel Savings Explained
05:35 Supply vs Demand in EV Market
09:07 Policy Challenges & Fuel Dependence
14:19 Fuel Price Volatility & Consumer Shift
18:14 Theft, Insurance & Karachi Context
28:28 EV Manufacturing & Localization Debate
33:04 After-Sales & Maintenance Challenges
36:04 Women Mobility & EV Impact
39:03 Environmental Impact of EVs
42:02 Battery Swapping vs Charging
49:10 Policy Bottlenecks & Government Role
51:30 Budget, Taxes & EV Policy

 

[Par 5]

EV bikes and smal cars make economical sense in city use in Pakistan. SUV and Sedans that are PHEV or EV are expensive to buy, more expensive to repair post major accident and a total loss in after sales value not to mention the 'range anxiety' that comes with it in intercity travels. Any vehicle that cannot be driven worry free from Khujerab to Gwadar is simply not worth it. ICE vehicles are here to stay

 

[Bilal]

EV bikes and smal cars make economical sense in city use in Pakistan. SUV and Sedans that are PHEV or EV are expensive to buy, more expensive to repair post major accident and a total loss in after sales value not to mention the 'range anxiety' that comes with it in intercity travels. Any vehicle that cannot be driven worry free from Khujerab to Gwadar is simply not worth it. ICE vehicles are here to stay

How many times do you drive from khunjrab to Gwadar each year to make it a deal breaker use case?

 

[Par 5]

How many times do you drive from khunjrab to Gwadar each year to make it a deal breaker use case?

It is just an example to demonstrate the reliability factor. Frankly speaking I am not even comfortable in driving an EV from Islamabad to Lahore. But hey, that is just me.

 

[RescueRanger]

The Nora has seen some success in Pakistan, much cheaper compared to entry level Suzuki in terms of upfront cost - but poor after sales support and pricier to maintain in the long run.

Sadly, Nora along with the other entry level EV's in Pakistan all face the same after-sales and support pain points that plagued the United Bravo.

 

[onlinpunit]

The Nora has seen some success in Pakistan, much cheaper compared to entry level Suzuki in terms of upfront cost - but poor after sales support and pricier to maintain in the long run.

Sadly, Nora along with the other entry level EV's in Pakistan all face the same after-sales and support pain points that plagued the United Bravo.

The biggest Problem with Electric Bikes is the Range. It is strictly an intra city vehicle.

 

[RescueRanger]

The biggest Problem with Electric Bikes is the Range. It is strictly an intra city vehicle.

100% my cousin is studying in France and has a small Renault EV on a full charge she can zoom around the city and outskirts no problem, but anything more demanding would require at least 2 charges

 

[Michael]

Why Electric Bikes Make Economic Sense in Pakistan | Faraz Zaidi​

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For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Pakistan is at a turning point in mobility. With rising fuel prices, growing economic pressure, and increasing demand for affordable transport, electric vehicles—especially two and three wheelers—are emerging as a powerful alternative.

In this episode of All Things Money, host Fatima Attarwala sits down with Faraz Zaidi, Chairman of Wasl Mobility Modaraba, a company financing two and three wheelers in Pakistan. The discussion explores how electrification is reshaping mobility, why Pakistan’s motorcycle market is central to this transition, and how economics—not just environment—are driving EV adoption.

00:00 Introduction & Guest Overview
00:32 Why Pakistan is a Two-Wheeler Market
01:12 Economics of Electric Bikes
02:08 Cost vs Fuel Savings Explained
05:35 Supply vs Demand in EV Market
09:07 Policy Challenges & Fuel Dependence
14:19 Fuel Price Volatility & Consumer Shift
18:14 Theft, Insurance & Karachi Context
28:28 EV Manufacturing & Localization Debate
33:04 After-Sales & Maintenance Challenges
36:04 Women Mobility & EV Impact
39:03 Environmental Impact of EVs
42:02 Battery Swapping vs Charging
49:10 Policy Bottlenecks & Government Role
51:30 Budget, Taxes & EV Policy

My feeling is that this is a typical advertisement disguised as a TV program.

 

[Bilal]

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[Pakistan First]

EVs and E-bikes are essential for Pakistan. Given we don't produce oil.

Two of our largest expenses are Oil and Cars / auto Parts that we import every month.

If we import less oil, its better for economy and our trade deficit will balance.

CRITICAL FACTOR FOR PAKISTAN

But most important thing from economic point of view is that govt needs to make regulations and laws that E-bikes and EVs must be manufactured in Pakistan.

Otherwise it will be same story as how Japanese auto industry single handedly destroyed Pakistan's economy by making only assembly plants. For 6 decades, we had enormous demand for cars (due to our population) and yet Japanese never invested in Pakistan and never made a manufacturing plant. We let them ruin our economy. Every year Pakistan buys auto parts worth billions of dollars from Japan just because we never bothered to brute force Japanese to invest into a full scale manufacturing like how india forced them. So prices in india are less and auto industry contributes in their economy unlike ours which is a massive burden. I did some reading, every time every govt passes few statements that they will force auto industry to local manufacturing but every time the auto giants are able to bribe / influence the officials and get away with it.
Govt needs to make only 2 laws.
1- No new petrol based car to be assembled / imported in the country post 2030
2- No EVs can be sold unless full manufactured in Pakistan.

The auto industry will flock to Pakistan as no one can ignore the massive demand of our people. Even if they don't, it will give massive opportunity for local investors to get in the game.





@RescueRanger

 

[Michael]

Govt needs to make only 2 laws.
1- No new petrol based car to be assembled / imported in the country post 2030
2- No EVs can be sold unless full manufactured in Pakistan.

Dude, that's a really bad and stupid strategy. You have absolutely no idea what the consequences of doing that will be.

China employed a similar strategy decades ago, with disastrous consequences.
India and the United States are also using this strategy today.

I don't want to elaborate on this issue. When you lack the necessary capabilities, implementing such a strategy is suicidal.