Pakistan & China Power Future EVs with Sodium-Ion Batteries

Pakistan and China Team Up to Replace Lithium-Ion Batteries in EVs

Pakistan is making a strategic move to partner with China on the development of sodium-ion battery technology for electric vehicles (EVs), marking it as a key focus for future bilateral cooperation. This collaboration aims to propel Pakistan’s EV sector forward with advanced, potentially more sustainable battery solutions.

Speaking from the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal expressed Pakistan’s strong desire to work with Chinese firms to innovate EV technology. He specifically highlighted sodium-ion batteries as a particularly promising area for this joint effort, acknowledging China’s leading role in battery innovation.

Minister Iqbal emphasized that EVs represent a vital growth sector for Pakistan, stating, “EVs have become a very important segment. Pakistan is keen to benefit from China’s advances in this field.” The potential shift to sodium-ion batteries could offer significant advantages, including reduced reliance on lithium, lower costs, and enhanced sustainability compared to current lithium-ion technology.

To facilitate these crucial partnerships, the Pakistan-China Business Conference is scheduled for September 4 in China. This event is set to be a major forum, connecting industry leaders from both countries, with over 250 Pakistani and more than 200 Chinese companies expected to attend. The conference will enable “industry matchmaking” across diverse sectors, including electric vehicles, solar energy, chemicals, and agriculture.

Iqbal further noted the mutual benefits of such collaborations. Chinese companies investing in EV manufacturing in Pakistan would gain from cost advantages through local production and access to a growing domestic market. For Pakistan, these partnerships are vital for achieving its broader goals of energy efficiency, job creation, and sustainable economic development.

Pakistan’s commitment to electric mobility is underpinned by its National Electric Vehicle Policy 2025–2030, which targets converting 30% of all new vehicle sales to electric by 2030, with an overarching aim of achieving net-zero transport emissions by 2060. The policy provides a robust framework of tax incentives, subsidies, and infrastructure support to encourage both foreign investment and local manufacturing.

The groundwork for this cooperation is already being laid, with several prominent Chinese firms, including BYD and Chery, already active in Pakistan’s EV sector. These companies are involved in vehicle assembly, developing charging infrastructure, and exploring further joint ventures, paving the way for a dynamic and innovative future for Pakistan’s electric vehicle industry.