Pakistan has formally expressed interest in collaborating with China on the development of sodium-ion battery technology for electric vehicles (EVs), identifying it as a strategic priority in future bilateral cooperation.
Speaking at a press conference at the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan is eager to work with Chinese firms to advance EV technology. He specifically pointed to sodium-ion batteries as a promising area for collaboration.
Iqbal noted that EVs represent a vital growth sector for Pakistan and highlighted China’s leadership in battery innovation. “EVs have become a very important segment,” he said. “Pakistan is keen to benefit from China’s advances in this field.”
The minister announced that the Pakistan-China Business Conference, scheduled for September 4 in China, will serve as a key forum to connect industry leaders from both countries. More than 250 companies from Pakistan and over 200 from China are expected to participate.
“The conference will enable industry matchmaking across several sectors, including electric vehicles, solar energy, chemicals, and agriculture,” Iqbal said.
Iqbal emphasized that Chinese firms stand to benefit from investing in EV manufacturing in Pakistan, where local production offers cost advantages and access to a growing market. He also framed such partnerships as beneficial to Pakistan’s broader goals of energy efficiency, job creation, and sustainable growth.
Pakistan’s National Electric Vehicle Policy 2025–2030 targets converting 30% of all new vehicle sales to electric by 2030, with a broader aim of achieving net-zero transport emissions by 2060. The policy offers tax incentives, subsidies, and infrastructure support to encourage both foreign investment and local manufacturing.
Several Chinese firms, including BYD and Chery, are already active in Pakistan’s EV sector, assembling vehicles, developing charging infrastructure, and exploring joint ventures.