Punjab to convert all old motorcycles into electric ones

The Punjab Transport Department has announced a major initiative to reduce air pollution in Lahore by converting old motorcycles into electric ones.

Transport Minister Ahmed Javed Qazi confirmed that the government will pay half the cost of the conversion for motorcycle owners. The conversion process will replace traditional gasoline engines with battery-powered systems, significantly reducing emissions and contributing to cleaner air.

According to him, a successful trial has already been carried out with old petrol bikes being successfully converted into electric models. The project will officially begin after testing, which is currently being carried out by the University of Engineering and Technology (UET). He said that from October to January, all petrol bikes will run on batteries.

The bicycles to be produced are being tested at the SET engineering department, he explained, adding that after the tests, a plan to convert old bicycles into electric ones will be launched.

Kazi said that work is underway on the Punjab Clean Air program with the World Bank, while the program has also allocated funds for an electric bicycle conversion project.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has expanded its electric bike initiative, increasing the number of bikes available to students from 20,000 to 27,200, with special focus on female students. The Department of Transport has also announced that all female students who apply will now be eligible to receive an electric bike.

The initiative, aimed at providing affordable transport to students, especially from low-income families, was first introduced in March when the Punjab cabinet approved the distribution of 20,000 electric bicycles.

However, in response to huge demand, the government has increased the number of bikes to 27,200. This includes both electric and petrol bikes to meet the varied needs of students across the province.