Karachi: Karachi’s deteriorating road infrastructure is slowing the adoption of electric motorcycles, even as rising fuel prices and lower running costs encourage more commuters to consider switching to EV bikes, according to industry experts.

Dealers say the city’s electric motorcycle market has expanded rapidly, particularly on Akbar Road, Karachi’s main motorcycle trading hub, where more than 25 EV showrooms now operate. Around 200 dealerships are active across the city, with most leading brands maintaining between three and six outlets.

Despite the growing number of dealerships, Karachi ranks only fifth or sixth nationwide in electric motorcycle adoption. Industry players attribute the slower growth to poor road conditions and limited product availability, while Punjab continues to lead demand.

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Auto and motorcycle analyst and Akbar Road dealer Muhammad Sabir Shaikh said demand for electric motorcycles has exceeded supply, with manufacturers prioritising deliveries to Lahore, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Gujrat and other Punjab cities. He said demand in Punjab is estimated to be three times higher than in Karachi, partly because better road infrastructure makes electric motorcycles more practical.

Shaikh added that 75 assemblers have applied for Engineering Development Board (EDB) production certificates, while more than 60 have already received approval and others remain in the application process.

VLEKTRA founder and Chief Executive Officer Syed Raza Mohsin said the growing number of EV dealerships reflects increasing consumer interest, driven largely by the rising cost of petrol.

“A petrol motorcycle owner spends a significant portion of their monthly income on fuel. With petrol prices increasing, switching to electric dramatically reduces running costs,” Mohsin said.

He noted that electric motorcycles also require less maintenance because they do not need oil changes and have fewer mechanical components than conventional motorcycles.

However, Mohsin said Karachi’s deteriorating road network remains a major obstacle to wider EV adoption.

“The city’s roads were not designed to handle today’s traffic volume. The government needs sustained investment in road resurfacing and improved drainage to prevent roads from deteriorating during the monsoon season,” he said, describing it as a long-term infrastructure challenge.

Mohsin welcomed the Sindh government’s Pink Bike Distribution Programme, which provides subsidised electric scooters to women through the Sindh Mass Transit Authority, but urged authorities to introduce further incentives.

He suggested reducing or waiving registration and token taxes for electric vehicles to encourage greater adoption.

Mohsin also said the company is working to reduce reliance on imported components by localising production. He said VLEKTRA plans to manufacture batteries and electric motors domestically by 2027, helping protect customers from currency fluctuations and import costs.

Addressing concerns over resale value, Mohsin said buyers often ask what their motorcycle will be worth after several years of use. He said the company’s buyback programme offers customers a guaranteed resale option based on normal wear and tear, reducing uncertainty in Pakistan’s developing used EV market and making it easier for riders to upgrade to newer models.