ISLAMABAD: Serious differences have emerged between the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Industries and Production regarding the quality of electric motorcycles being produced in the country. The differences were noted during a meeting of the sub-committee of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Industries and Production held here on Monday under the convenership of Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto. Briefing the participants, both ministries presented separate stances. The convener of the committee remarked that the response from the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) is substandard, and it should come up with a proper response. Officials from the Engineering Development Board (EDB) stated that imports of EV bikes are currently being regulated, adding that PSQCA standards are implemented within manufacturing units. Officials from the Ministry of Science and Technology said that they have full authority to determine and enforce quality standards for motorcycles. While countering the argument of the Ministry of Science, the officials from the Ministry of Industry said that it is the responsibility of the EDB to enforce United Nations standards. Expressing serious displeasure over the verbal skirmishes between the officials of the Ministry of Industry and Production, the convener of the committee said that both ministries should have arrived at the meeting with a unified stance. The ministries must resolve their internal differences before attending the meeting, she added. Briefing on the agenda item, the Pricing and Market Dynamics, the committee was informed that the price of a 30-ampere lithium battery is USD300, while lithium batteries are not being manufactured locally, which is why electric motorcycles are expensive. The government’s subsidy of RS80, 000 is highly instrumental in lowering the price, the industry ministry officials said, and added that at present the price of an electric motorcycle exceeds Rs250, 000, while there are around 60 manufacturers of electric motorcycles in the country. Committee member Naz Baloch, debating on safety, testing, and regulations related to electric bikes, said that several accidents and losses have occurred due to battery issues. Responding to the observation of Naz Baloch, industry ministry officials said that in Pakistan, there is not a single testing laboratory for motors and batteries in the country. All manufacturers rely entirely on Chinese standards and testing; one company is producing only 3, 000 electric motorcycles, ” stated the CEO of the EDB. The convener of the committee questioned the poor battery-related issues and asked EDB officials what action they have taken against battery, motor, and charging manufacturers. Complaints can be registered on the website, but no complaints have been received there, ” responded a PSQCA representative. The EDB has indeed received some complaints, ” countered the CEO of EDB and added that an important bill regarding this matter is currently under consideration in Parliament. Once the bill is passed, the Board will gain the authority to take enforcement action. PSQCA officials briefing on the subject of the technical framework of Standards said that the authority has set 172 standards for electric motorcycles and only monitors the enforcement of standards at the manufacturing level. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Ministries clash over quality of locally made e-motorcycles
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