The Punjab government has announced a major expansion of its electric bike (e-bike) scheme under which 100,000 e-bikes will be distributed to students across the province within one year.
The decision was taken in a meeting of the Transport and Mass Transit Department chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The government will provide a subsidy of Rs. 70,000 on each e-bike to make the scheme more affordable for students.
Under the plan, male students will be required to pay a down payment of Rs. 14,000, and the remaining amount will be paid through interest-free monthly installments of Rs. 2,100. However, female students will not have to pay the down payment or registration fee, as both costs will be covered by the Punjab government.
Female students will only be required to pay the monthly installment of Rs. 2,100. The chief minister also instructed authorities to introduce easier installment plans to increase participation in the scheme.
The Punjab government has also decided to extend the facility to government employees, who will be able to purchase e-bikes through easy installment plans.
The announcement is part of the provincial government’s green transport initiative, which also includes the introduction of more electric buses, e-taxis and electric three-wheelers across Punjab. Officials also briefed the chief minister on ongoing mass transit projects and the expansion of electric public transport across the province.
