Dewan Farooque Motors Limited said it plans to launch the locally assembled commercial electric truck ‘Kama’ in Pakistan soon.
Kashif Riaz, Director of Projects at Dewan Farooque Motors, revealed in an interview with Independent Urdu that the truck is modeled on the structure of the diesel-powered Shehzore truck. Assembly will take place in Pakistan, and the official launch is expected in the next quarter.
Innovative and cost-effective solution
Riaz highlighted the benefits of transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) in the commercial sector.
“Commercial trucks usually consume significant amounts of fuel, but transitioning to electric will reduce operating costs. This is a light commercial vehicle with a range of 300 kilometers and fast charging capability,” he explained.
Local assembly for the Kama truck is slated to commence in 2025, with pricing details to be revealed later. He emphasized, however, that it will offer significant cost savings over conventional fuel-powered alternatives.
Milestone in EV manufacturing: Honri EV
In October, DFML recently resumed operations after a period of dormancy as it delivered its first batch of locally assembled Honri EV electric vehicles to Eco-Green Motors Limited. Unlike fully imported EVs, the Honri EV represents Pakistan’s first fully locally assembled electric vehicle.
“In just two months, we have sold more than 100 units of the Honri EV,” Riaz shared, reflecting the growing demand for eco-friendly transportation solutions.
Potential for local EV production
Riaz stressed Pakistan’s untapped potential in the automotive industry, noting that the country’s 14 automotive factories could produce one million vehicles annually but currently operate at only 30% capacity.
“If these companies increase production by just 30%, an additional 200,000 to 250,000 vehicles could be produced annually,” he said.
He further underscored the advantages of EV adoption.
“If these new vehicles are electric, Pakistan could gain international recognition and even earn carbon credits from the World Bank. This is a huge opportunity as we have the capacity, skilled workforce, and training to manufacture vehicles locally,” he added.
With abundant lithium reserves and domestic battery production capabilities, Riaz suggested that Pakistan could manufacture EVs entirely locally, eliminating the need for engines and transmissions.
Riaz urged the government to enhance its EV policy by providing greater duty exemptions to encourage local production. “With more support for local EV manufacturing, production could see a significant boost,” he remarked.