While electric scooties may not have much motor power, a bike with peak power of 2,000W can carry heavier loads.—Courtesy NCGCL
On a Sunday, a family of five can climb onto a Honda CD 70 in North Nazimabad and head to the beach. On weekdays, the same bike can carry a commuter to work, a child to school and a delivery ride through an entire shift.
This is the benchmark electric two-wheelers have to beat in Pakistan.
“Essentially, Pakistan is a two-wheeler market,” says Faraz Zaidi, Chairman Wasl Mobility Modaraba which provides financing solutions to underserved sectors, including electric mobility. Around two million motorcycles are sold in Pakistan every year and the total fleet exceeds 30m.
The economics of switching to electric are compelling. Before the US attack on Iran, the operating cost of an EV bike was around 25 per cent of that of a conventional bike, including petrol, engine oil, spark plugs and filters. Since the war, it has fluctuated around 15pc, says Mr Zaidi.
