Sindh to Gradually Shift Government Fleet to Electric Vehicles

KARACHI: The Sindh government has decided to gradually replace conventional vehicles used by government departments with electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce expenditure, save fuel and curb pollution.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Austerity, chaired by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and attended by Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah.

The meeting reviewed measures to cut government expenditure, conserve fuel and assess the vehicle requirements of various departments.

According to an official press statement, the committee approved the purchase of vehicles for the Home Department, the Anti-Corruption Establishment and the Universities and Boards Department. It also agreed that EVs would be given preference in future vehicle purchases by government departments.

Mr Memon, who also holds the portfolios of information, transport and mass transit, said conserving public resources was among the provincial government’s priorities. He added that the government aimed to gradually shift its entire vehicle fleet towards environment-friendly technology and reduce reliance on conventional fuels.

“The future belongs to EVs,” he said, adding that the transition would also help lower the day-to-day operating expenses of government departments.

Mr Shah said emissions from conventional vehicles adversely affected the urban environment and air quality. He added that the government also wanted local government institutions to promote electric vehicles instead of conventional ones.