Karachi: The Sindh government is progressing towards introducing 500 electric taxis in the province in collaboration with Dewan Group of Industries, aiming to address transportation and environmental challenges.
On Monday, Special Assistant to Chief Minister of Sindh for Investment and Public-Private Partnership, Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, met Dewan Muhammad Yousuf Farooqui, the head of Dewan Group, to discuss the ambitious project. During the meeting, Dewan Farooqui highlighted that Dewan Group is working on a project to introduce 500 electric taxis across Sindh, with an estimated cost of Rs2.5 billion.
The initiative is designed to tackle both public transport issues and the growing environmental concerns by promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs). Qamar welcomed the plan, emphasizing that it aligns with the provincial government’s commitment to environmentally-friendly transportation solutions.
“This project will not only address the challenges of public transport but will also contribute to a cleaner environment and energy-efficient mobility,” said Qamar, stressing the potential for the project to boost Sindh’s economy through technology and job creation.
The project is also aligned with Dewan Group’s recent venture in electric vehicle manufacturing. Dewan Farooque Motors Limited (DFML), the automotive arm of Dewan Group, has been assembling the Chinese-made Honri-VE electric vehicle (EV) since late 2024. DFML reported producing over 100 units of the Honri-VE within the first three months of production at its Sindh-based assembly plant.
In collaboration with the Sindh and Punjab governments, DFML is in the process of finalizing plans to introduce the Honri-VE as part of the electric taxi fleets in both provinces. While the specific details of the project’s rollout are still under discussion, the initiative has been met with strong support from local authorities.
To ensure the success of the electric taxi scheme, discussions are underway to involve financial institutions in providing financing options to prospective taxi owners. Sources revealed that Dewan Group is waiting for the Sindh government to confirm the order and provide an advance payment before initiating the delivery of the e-taxis.
DFML’s electric vehicles, including two variants of the Honri-VE (Honri-VE 0.2 and Honri-VE 0.3), are designed to travel up to 200km and 300km on a single charge, respectively. Priced at Rs3.99 million and Rs4.99 million, these EVs are expected to play a significant role in reducing the carbon footprint of the transportation sector in Sindh.
With the Sindh government’s backing and Dewan Group’s ongoing efforts, the electric taxi initiative is poised to revolutionize urban transport, providing eco-friendly options while promoting technological advancements and employment in the province.
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