Expansion of electric bus network, Rs40b allocated for charging infrastructure

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Jul, 2026) The Punjab government has prepared a plan to expand the electric bus network across the province. It has been decided to make the new electric buses operational in phases even before the installation of the complete charging infrastructure.

The electric buses will initially be charged using electricity provided by WAPDA.

According to Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan, the government has allocated Rs40 billion for the charging infrastructure of electric buses in the current fiscal year, while the electric infrastructure is being upgraded in phases. The government has decided to start electric bus service in small districts after big cities. In the first phase, electric buses will be operated on 13 routes in Khanewal, Khushab, Bhakkar, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad. 15 buses will be operational in Khushab, while 9 buses each in Khanewal, Bhakkar, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad will be operational on various urban routes.

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Under the plan, the scope of electric bus service will be expanded to 14 more districts by the end of July 2026. 10 buses each in Chiniot, Layyah, Okara and Sialkot, while 12 buses each in Gujranwala and Multan. 11 buses each in Murree, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Vehari, Kasur, Lodhran, Nankana Sahib and Narowal will also be provided by the end of July.

According to sources, another 488 electric buses will reach Pakistan by the end of August 2026, which will be operationalised in different districts. Currently, 400 electric buses are already providing service in 18 districts of Punjab, while the government’s target is to operate a total of 1900 electric buses during 2026.

On the other hand, according to available data, the Punjab government currently has the facility to charge only 41 buses compared to 1900 electric buses, due to which the timely completion of charging infrastructure is being considered a major challenge for the success of the project.