Pakistan’s first electric car company opens its showroom in Lahore

[Mark-x]

Pakistan in collaboration with China has introduced the first-ever electric car company, Topsun Motors, in the country which inaugurated its showroom in Jail Road Lahore on 3rd January 2020. The name of the showroom is Topsun MR Motors.According to the media reports, the Provincial Minister of Punjab for housing, urban development and public health engineering, Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed has inaugurated Topsun Motors, the country’s first electric car company. The managing director of Topsun Motors, Malik Riaz was also present on this occasion. As a result of a collaborated venture, the company has also opened its showroom in Lahore that marks the beginning of a new era in the automobile industry of Pakistan. China had provided its complete support in introducing the new company in Pakistan which will ensure the availability of electric cars in the country. The Minister also applauded the efforts of its neighboring country in helping Pakistan move forward in terms of technological advancement. He also added that it will also help the country in strengthening its terms with China. Moreover, Chinese companies are taking a keen interest in investment plans in Pakistan

 

On this inauguration event, Topsun Motors also introduced 4 models that include a hatchback and three models of JMC. Pakistan’s first electric car company has introduced 1000cc Zyote’s Z100 hatchback in the local industry. On the other hand, the company has also introduced JMC Single Cabin which is also available in double cabin option

 

it is worth mentioning here that these vehicles are engine-based and the above-mentioned prices are inclusive of withholding tax. Moreover, the company is waiting for the electric vehicle policy to be implemented by the government and then the electric version will arrive. According to the officials of the company, it will launch the electric version of Zyote Z100 which will be the same as the engine-based model with a slight change in its shape. The electric version Zyote Z100 Plus is already available in the international market.

The company claims that the electric version of Zyote Z100 will cover around 300 km on a single battery charge and will be priced approximately PKR 1.9-2 million. However, its price might vary considering the calculation of taxes after the electric vehicle policy gets implemented. The current model of Zyote Z100 is based on 1000cc engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The company will also bring the automatic version of Z100 in the second phase. Note here that these models are completely built units (CBU) imported by the company. The hatchback falls in the category of Suzuki Wagon R and Cultus. Its other competitors in the local sector will be FAW V2 and KIA Picanto. However, it’s priced less than any of these existing models in the market. On the other hand, JMC Vigus 4×4 is based on 2.4-litre engine twin-power charger and will compete directly with Toyota Revo and Isuzu D-Max in the local market.

 

The cabinet had recently given formal approval for the first National Electric Vehicle Policy (NECP) of Pakistan. As a part of the PM’s mission, Pakistan aims to reduce the carbon footprint in the atmosphere by bringing electric cars in the country. In the initial phase, 30% of the cars in the country are aimed to be shifted to electric by the year 2030. According to the Adviser to the PM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam, the country will save $2 billion in the annual oil import bill by converting to electric cars in the future. Moreover, the adverse effects of emissions from combustion engine vehicles will also be reduced by shifting to electric mobility. Pakistan currently stands at an alarming position on the global air index rankings. The air quality, particularly in the urban areas, has gone so worse due to the ever-increasing emissions from automobiles and industries. Therefore, the government aims to shift to electric mobility and in the first phase, motorbikes and 3-wheelers will be shifted to batteries.

On the other hand, the existing auto manufacturers in the country have already opposed the electric vehicle policy as they believe that it will directly affect the existing automakers in the country. However, the government has ensured that all the stakeholders in this regard will be taken into confidence and the electric vehicle policy will go ahead despite any opposition. Nonetheless, the entry of the first electric car company in the country is a positive prospect for the growth of the auto sector and the creation of new job opportunities.