Last Verified: August 10, 2026
The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has launched Pakistan’s first Electric Taxi Scheme in Lahore. Although earlier announcements (including the original version of this article) had targeted an August 2025 start, the scheme was formally inaugurated on February 26, 2026, as part of the province’s broader “Naya Raasta” transport initiative aimed at providing eco-friendly, inclusive, and economically viable mobility solutions.
Editorial Note: This article was first published in August 2025, before the scheme had launched. It has now been updated to correct outdated future-tense claims, remove details that could not be verified against official sources, and reflect the scheme’s confirmed status. Facts below are sourced from official Punjab Government channels and reputable national news coverage; anything that could not be officially verified is explicitly marked as unconfirmed rather than stated as fact.
Latest Status – August 2026
Here is the verified, current status of the Punjab Electric Taxi Scheme, based on official government sources and reputable news coverage:
- Confirmed and launched: The scheme was officially inaugurated by CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif on February 26, 2026, with the first 1,100 electric taxis rolled out in Lahore under a Rs4 billion government subsidy.
- Keys for the first batch of successful applicants, including women drivers, were distributed starting February 27, 2026.
- Financing: 5-year interest-free installments, with government covering all markup/interest, token tax, and vehicle registration fees. Applicants contribute 30% equity as a down payment; government covers 50% of that down payment for male applicants and 60% for female applicants.
- A 30% quota is reserved for women drivers (30 of the 100 individually allocated taxis; the remaining 1,000 taxis in this phase go to fleet operators), with distinctly coloured vehicles for visibility and safety.
- Currently available: The official registration and tracking portal, e-taxi.punjab.gov.pk, is live and is run by the Punjab Transport & Mass Transit Department with technical support from the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).
- Vehicles are being registered with ride-hailing platforms including inDrive and Yango, and are fitted with GPS tracking, a smart fare meter, and a panic button linked to the Punjab Safe Cities Authority.
- Pending / unconfirmed: Phase 1 registration is closed. Applications for the initial 1,100-vehicle Lahore phase exceeded the quota (28,000+ applications were received), and the Transport Department, together with the Bank of Punjab, has already completed computerised balloting and selection for this phase. New applicants cannot currently apply for Phase 1.
- Officials have publicly discussed expanding the scheme to Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Multan, and eventually to all 148 tehsils of Punjab. As of August 2026, we could not find an official announcement confirming a launch date, vehicle count, or application window for this expansion — treat it as a stated intention, not a confirmed rollout.
- Where to check for official updates: e-taxi.punjab.gov.pk (official portal) and transport.punjab.gov.pk (Punjab Transport & Mass Transit Department), or official statements from the Chief Minister’s Office.
Vision Behind the Electric Taxi Program
The electric taxi scheme isn’t just about new cars — it’s part of a broader shift in how Punjab approaches transportation. The government’s stated goals include:
- Reduce Punjab’s carbon footprint
- Modernize public transportation
- Empower youth and women
- Create thousands of green jobs
- Make Punjab a model province for climate action
This program is also framed by the Punjab government as supporting Pakistan’s Climate Change Policy 2021 and the country’s commitment to COP26 goals and Net-Zero emissions by 2050.
Vehicle Technology & Features
Official coverage of the February 2026 launch confirms the following vehicle features. The Punjab government has not published a full public spec sheet naming a specific manufacturer or vehicle model for the scheme:
- Driving range of approximately 250–300 km per charge
- GPS tracking and a panic button linked to the Punjab Safe Cities Authority
- Digital / smart fare meters
- Battery and motor warranty valid up to 300,000 km or 6 years, whichever comes first, per the scheme’s published terms
Correction: An earlier version of this article named a specific manufacturer (“Dewan Motors”) and vehicle models (“Honri VC20” and “Honri VC30”). We could not verify these details against any official Punjab government source or reputable news outlet, so they have been removed rather than repeated as fact. For the exact vehicle make and model available to you, check directly with the official portal at e-taxi.punjab.gov.pk.
These vehicles are zero-emission, quiet, and inexpensive to run, making them well suited to dense urban traffic. The current phase covers Lahore only; expansion to other cities has been discussed by officials but is not yet confirmed (see Latest Status above).
Charging Infrastructure
Note: We could not independently verify the following charging-infrastructure details against official sources for the February 2026 launch. They reflect the scheme’s original 2025 planning documents and may not fully match the final implementation.
- Solar-powered charging stations planned every 3 km within Lahore
- Stations planned at major transport hubs and high-traffic intersections
- Rest-area charging planned on intercity highways
Target Beneficiaries of the Scheme
Youth (18–45 years old)
- Encouraged to become self-employed as drivers
- Financing is interest-free — government covers all markup for 5 years
- Driver and EV maintenance training included, per the scheme’s original design
Women
- 30% quota reserved for female drivers (30 of the 100 individually allocated vehicles)
- Government covers 60% of the down payment for women, versus 50% for men
- Distinctly coloured vehicles for women drivers
Fleet Owners
- 1,000 of the 1,100 phase-one vehicles are allocated to fleet/corporate applicants, minimum 10 vehicles per package
- Government equity contribution: 40% for fleets of 10–50 vehicles, 30% for fleets above 50 vehicles
Application Process & Official Portal
Applications for the launched Lahore phase are processed through the official portal, e-taxi.punjab.gov.pk, run by the Punjab Transport & Mass Transit Department with PITB providing the technical platform. As noted above, Phase 1 registration is now closed — more than 28,000 applications were received against the 1,100-vehicle quota, and selection was completed via computerised balloting conducted with the Bank of Punjab.
Documents generally required during registration include:
- CNIC
- Valid driver’s license
- Proof of income (or intent to earn)
- Local domicile (Punjab only)
Exact eligibility criteria (age limits, license requirements, income thresholds) are set by the Transport Department and may be updated between phases — always confirm current requirements on the official portal rather than relying on third-party guides.
Financial Support Breakdown
| Expense Type | Covered by Govt.? |
|---|---|
| Down Payment (Equity, 30% of vehicle price) | Partially — govt covers 50% of it for men, 60% for women |
| Registration Fee | Yes |
| Token Tax | Yes |
| Interest (Markup) | Yes — fully covered for the 5-year term |
| Monthly Installments | No (paid by driver) |
The Punjab Transport Department has partnered with the Bank of Punjab and other financial institutions to administer the installment plans.
Expected Economic Impact
Job Creation
- Drivers
- EV mechanics
- Charging station staff
- Training instructors
Officials have projected that drivers under the scheme could earn between roughly Rs150,000 and Rs200,000 per month, based on statements made at the scheme’s launch.
Punjab’s electric-mobility push is not limited to taxis. The province has also rolled out the CM Punjab E-Bike Scheme 2026, which provides subsidized electric bikes to students as part of the same green transport strategy.
Support for Pakistan’s National EV Policy 2025–2030
This scheme aligns with Pakistan’s National Electric Vehicle (NEV) Policy 2025–2030, launched by the Ministry of Industries & Production in June 2025, which replaced the earlier 2020–2025 policy framework. The new policy targets 30% of new vehicle sales being electric by 2030, rising to 90% by 2040 and 100% by 2060.
Pilot City: Lahore
Lahore is the testbed for the e-taxi service, chosen for its high traffic volume, established road infrastructure, and severe smog crisis. Officials have indicated that lessons from Lahore could inform future rollouts in Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Multan, and Sialkot — though, as noted above, no confirmed timeline has been officially announced for these cities as of August 2026.
Strategic Partnerships
- Punjab Transport & Mass Transit Department
- Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB)
- Bank of Punjab
- Punjab Skill Development Fund (PSDF)
- Urban Unit
Official References
- Punjab Transport & Mass Transit Department
- Official E-Taxi Registration Portal
- National Electric Vehicle Policy 2025–2030 (Ministry of Industries & Production)
- Dawn: Punjab CM launches e-taxi scheme
- The Express Tribune: First e-taxi scheme launches in Punjab
- ProPakistani: Original 2025 launch announcement (historical reference)
- Maryam Nawaz / Naya Raasta official updates
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the Punjab Electric Taxi Scheme officially launched?
Yes. CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif officially inaugurated the scheme on February 26, 2026, with the first 1,100 electric taxis rolled out in Lahore under a Rs4 billion government subsidy. Earlier announcements had targeted 2025, but the confirmed launch date is February 2026.
Can I still apply for the Punjab e-taxi scheme?
Not for Phase 1. Applications for the initial 1,100-vehicle Lahore phase closed after more than 28,000 applications were received. Selection was completed through computerised balloting with the Bank of Punjab, and keys have already been issued to successful applicants. A new application window for future phases has not been officially announced as of August 2026 — check e-taxi.punjab.gov.pk for updates.
What is the official registration portal for the e-taxi scheme?
The official portal is e-taxi.punjab.gov.pk, operated by the Punjab Transport & Mass Transit Department with technical support from PITB. Avoid unofficial or copycat websites that use similar names.
How much is the down payment, and who covers it?
Applicants contribute 30% equity as a down payment. The government covers 50% of that down payment for male applicants and 60% for female applicants. The government also covers the interest/markup for the full 5-year term, plus registration fees and token tax.
Will the e-taxi scheme expand to Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, or Multan?
Officials have publicly discussed expanding the scheme beyond Lahore to other major cities and eventually to all 148 tehsils of Punjab. As of August 2026, no official launch date, vehicle count, or application window has been confirmed for this expansion — it remains a stated intention rather than a confirmed rollout.
Final Word
The Punjab Electric Taxi Scheme, officially launched in February 2026, is a landmark initiative that brings together clean energy, economic development, and social inclusion. Phase 1 in Lahore is live and its selection process is complete; wider expansion has been discussed but is not yet officially confirmed. Readers considering applying to a future phase should check e-taxi.punjab.gov.pk directly for the latest status rather than relying on unofficial or copycat websites.
