In a strategic move poised to reshape Pakistan’s evolving electric-powered car (EV) landscape, Atlas Honda, the country’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, is gearing up to launch its first electric bikes by June 2025, according to enterprise sources familiar with the development.
The choice underscores the company’s ambition to maintain its dominance in Pakistan’s motorcycle marketplace, in which it currently commands over 85% of the market and also exports to several nations.
Presently, Pakistan’s electric-wheeler marketplace is in its infancy, with its adoption hampered by high costs, confined charging infrastructure, and consumer skepticism. Despite authorities incentives like reduced taxes on EVs, electric-powered motorcycles accounted for much less than 1% of total motorcycle income in 2024.
But enterprise insiders advocate Atlas Honda’s access might be a game changer by leveraging its decades of brand trust and significant local manufacturing community.
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The corporation’s big setup, which produces around 1.3 million bikes annually, relies on a deeply localized supply chain, with over 95% of components sourced locally. This infrastructure, combined with in-house studies and an improvement wing, positions Atlas Honda to tailor electric-powered bikes suitable to Pakistani conditions.
Globally, sales of electric two-wheelers are surging, particularly in Asian markets like India and China, in which affordability and government subsidies have spurred adoption. But fast advancements in EV generation, consisting of BYD’s ‘Blade Battery’ and ultra-fast 1,000 kW charging systems for four-wheelers, highlight the risks of relying on imported units.
Though this generation has yet to involve the 2-wheeler category, enterprise sources say companies uploading pre-assembled electric bikes will soon be at risk as battery technology evolves.
“Atlas Honda must invest heavily in localizing production rather than importing kits,” said an enterprise source, mentioning the volatility of EV innovation.
The organization’s electric bikes will reportedly feature a 48-watt battery, with a six- to seven-hour charging time and an estimated range of 65 kilometers per charge. While the portable charger lets in home or office charging, the range remains contingent on factors like rider weight, terrain, and using habits.
Even though pricing details remain undisclosed, resources imply Atlas Honda’s electric-powered motorcycles can have a slight premium as compared to existing local options, reflecting higher-quality additives. Competitors like Jolta Electric and SkyElectric presently provide motorcycles priced between Rs150,000 and Rs350,000.
Atlas Honda’s initial manufacturing is estimated at 25,000 units, and then the organization will produce around 8,000 units annually, a fraction of its total output, signifying cautious optimism.