Govt eyes 3,400 closed CNG stations for EV charging infrastructure

NEPRA on Wednesday reviewed government proposal to lower base electricity tariff for EV charging stations

By Israr Khan
February 13, 2025
Representational image of an electric car charging in a parking lot on March 13, 2021. — Reuters
Representational image of an electric car charging in a parking lot on March 13, 2021. — Reuters

ISLAMABAD: With only eight operational electric vehicle charging stations and 94,000 electricity units consumed for EV charging over the past year, the government is aiming to expand its EV infrastructure by reducing electricity tariffs and repurposing 3,400 closed CNG stations as potential charging hubs.

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Wednesday reviewed a government proposal to lower the base electricity tariff for EV charging stations from Rs45.55 per unit to Rs23.57 per unit. The move is intended to attract investment to the sector.

However, NEPRA raised concerns about pricing controls and regulatory challenges, questioning how operators would be prevented from arbitrarily setting charging rates.

Currently, EV users pay up to Rs70 per unit for charging, which is financially unviable for many. Officials from the Power Division emphasised that reducing tariffs would encourage private sector investment in charging infrastructure.