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Expression of Interest for Charging Infrastructure Assessment in Pakistan for Accelerated EVs Uptake The global transition to electric mobility is accelerating, driven by environmental concerns, energy security, and technological advancements. In Pakistan, the EV transition started taking off with the promulgation of New Energy Vehicle Policy (NEVP), 2025-30 and as of March 2026 more than 70 registered manufacturers have started assembling electric two-three wheelers (e-2/3Ws) and 02 manufacturers are in electric four wheelers (e-4Ws) category. For the accelerated uptake of EVs, it is imperative to complement the uptake with the robust EV eco-system that supports the mass EV adoption at all tiers in personal and commercial domains. With the rapid expansion of PHEVs and EVs in Pakistan the need for nationwide charging infrastructure is essential. The NEVP 2025-30 envisions establishing forty level-3 charging stations within 6 months of the policy period and three thousand charging stations including fast chargers, level-2 chargers, battery swapping stations (BSS) for 2&3-wheelers, and level 1 charging in parking lots for 2&3-wheelers, in a phased manner during the policy period. The number of these charging stations will gradually increase with the goal of establishing one charging station every fifty kilometer along major highways/motorways by 2030. Pakistan is among the top ten countries which are adversely hit by the climate change and associated vulnerabilities. The country faces a range of physical climate risks that pose challenges for the design and operation of fixed EV charging infrastructure. Variable rainfall patterns, abrupt downpour, sudden glacial melt, and seasonal monsoon extremes can lead to flash flooding, threatening electricity supply and damaging electrical components and access roads to charging stations. Increasing temperatures, particularly during summer heatwaves, can reduce equipment efficiency, accelerate wear on electronics, and necessitate robust cooling solutions. On the other hand, prolonged drought conditions and high dust levels in arid regions can impact air quality and ventilation, while water scarcity may limit options for certain cooling technologies. In mountainous or northern areas, snow melts and shifting precipitation patterns may also affect soil stability around installations. To ensure reliability, EV charging infrastructure in Pakistan must be designed with resilient enclosures, elevated platforms, temperature-control systems, and adaptable maintenance regimes capable of withstanding these environmental stresses over time. These Terms of Reference (ToRs) outline the scope, objectives, and deliverables for guiding the development of Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure and Battery Swapping Stations (EVCI & BSS) in four major cities of Pakistan i.e. Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar that complements the EVs uptake in line with the objectives set out in NEVP 2025-30. 2 The MoIP is the focal point within the Government of Pakistan for all initiatives which are taken for EV adoption and to guide the development of EVCI & BSS including applicable standards and regulatory regime in Pakistan. In this context, it is, inter alia, responsible for: initiate studies, analyses, data collection and other actions to determine the present scenario of EVCI & BSS their readiness and ascertain the potential of setting up new EVCI & BSS across federal and provincial jurisdictions in Pakistan, in consultation with the concerned agencies including but not limited to National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA), Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs), Land Authorities, Engineering Development Board (EDB), Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), and Provincial Authorities. B. OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY The overall objectives of the consultancy assignment are to: I. Identify, select and map suitable locations for developing EVCI & BSS in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar, with climate resilience and adaptation considerations with estimates of investment potential and job creation. II. Assess the existing grid capacity in the selected/suitable locations in these cities and evaluate the impact the shift to electric transportation on the electricity supply network. III. Propose international best practices for specifying, building and operating EVCI & BSS infrastructure which incorporates climate resilience and adaptation in case of extreme climate conditions characterized by flash floods, intense downpour, and intense heat. IV. Guide the national effort for setting up EVCI & BSS by developing a comprehensive framework for site selection, design and impact analysis in wake of mounting climate challenges, the reliance may also be placed on developing geospatial maps, and assessing power supply options (grid, solar, renewable etc.) for better feasibility assessment of EVCI & BSS in these cities. V. Review the existing policy framework and recommend strategy for federal government for setting up EVCI & BSS with optimal utilization of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for charging infrastructure. VI. Propose reforms / amendments in legal and planning framework along with incentives, such as climate risk-related insurance coverage, for private sector investment in EVCI & BSS. VII. Map the regulatory process to set up EVCI & BSS and suggest reforms for streamlining and simplification including recommending good industry and international practice (legal, regulatory etc.), based on a review of approaches taken in other similar (socio-economic) jurisdictions. VIII. Propose recommendations on regulations for public and private EVCI as well as interoperability considering the diverse models, types and standards including Chinese, Japanese, Korean and European standards. IX. Propose recommendations for online payment systems for using the charging services. X. Assess the existing institutional arrangements for supporting the development of EVCI & BSS especially with NEECA and other relevant stakeholders both at federal and provincial levels. 3 C. SPECIFIC TASKS Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure & Battery Swapping Stations (EVCI & BSS) in Pakistan The consultants shall undertake the following activities towards meeting the objectives listed above. Each of the following activities shall be carried out through adequate consultation with all relevant stakeholders such as regulatory bodies including but not restricted to; DISCOs, EDB, PSQCA, NEECA, Land Authorities, Provincial Transport Authorities, EVCI Operators, Oil Marketing Companies, OEMs, Financing Institutions, and Policymakers at the national, provincial and municipal levels. Assessment of the present landscape and regulatory regime o Conduct a thorough analysis and establish a baseline scenario on the asis basis of the present status of the EVCI & BSS in Pakistan (Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Peshawar) and its state of readiness. o Develop a comprehensive register of the national EVCI & BSS and map the existing regulations, legal framework & standards regime that applies for setting up a EVCI & BSS in Pakistan (Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Peshawar). Propose Expansion of EVCI & BSS in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar o The consultants will propose expansion of EVCI & BSS in a gradual/ phased manner to complement the EV uptake in four big cities of Pakistan i.e. Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar. o Identify feasible sites using geospatial mapping in comparison with the actual and proposed EVs concentration in proposed locality and determine the infrastructure, utility, and access requirements. o Propose setting up EVCI & BSS proportionate to e-2W users at the Government buildings including both Federal and Provincial Secretariats in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi. o Explore multiple energy supply options (grid, solar, renewable) and suggest the approach for increased climate resilience and adaptation for the development of national EVCI & BSS. o Examine the legal, planning, financial and administrative frameworks, including amendments/ reforms required to facilitate investment in EVCI & BSS. o Recommendations for regulations governing public and private EVCI. o Undertake review of pricing, taxation and incentives regimes for EVCI & BSS. o Recommendations for interoperability considering the diverse models, types and standards including Chinese, Japanese, Korean and European standards. Due attention may also be attributed to connectors, their types and charging standards for AC and DC fast charging for e-4Ws. o Recommendations for uniform payment gateway and online payment systems for using the charging services. 4 D. Development of reform recommendations Once the EVCI & BSS regime is analyzed and holistic mapping is carried out to guide the expansion of EVCI & BSS, the recommendations developed should cover legislative, regulatory and procedural changes, as appropriate to the issue under consideration. The recommendations may also illustrate the phased development approach for the charging infrastructure including the segregation of locations in tiers based on the priority assigned. It will be important for the proposed recommendations to be discussed with both the private sector to check on whether the changes proposed are considered likely to address the challenges of EVCI & BSS and associated regulatory regime effectively and the public sector to check on whether the changes are feasible in the context of government procedures for improving the investment landscape for EVCI & BSS. This will contribute to streamlining the existing legal / regulatory regime and make them transparent and less discretionary for mass expansion of EVCI & BSS. E. OUTPUT Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/6799/view.html
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