ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary body on Thursday recommended that development of electric vehicles should be supervised by the Ministry of Climate Change, to ensure environmental friendliness.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Climate Change gave these directions after members expressed concern towards expiration of batteries of electric vehicles.

While acknowledging struggles of all stakeholders, working towards making electric vehicles, the committee first proposed that officials from the Ministry of Climate Change and Ministry of Industries and Production, give a detailed briefing about electric vehicles. Members were informed that the Engineering Development Board is jointly working with the Ministry of Industries and Production for the development of electric vehicles with cooperation from Lahore University of Management Sciences (Lums).

Committee members directed the Ministry of Industries and Production to make proper mechanisms for check and balance of old vehicles and organise proper emission tests of these vehicles, at the time of their annual token tax. Members also insisted that the ministry should ensure that all vehicle manufacturing companies should produce vehicles as per international standards and comply with safety measures.

The Ministry of Climate Change was directed to provide a detailed report about tree plantation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2020