Pakistan’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape is picking up speed as Capital Smart Motors (CSM) announces plans to begin local manufacturing and assembly of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). The move marks a major step toward localized EV production, signaling growing investor confidence in the country’s green mobility sector.
According to an official company statement, CSM is transitioning into its manufacturing phase. In Phase 1, the company will utilize an existing local facility for interim production to jumpstart operations. Phase 2 will see the establishment of a state-of-the-art CKD (Completely Knocked Down) assembly plant, purpose-built for large-scale NEV manufacturing.
Bringing Chinese EV Brands to Pakistan
Though a relatively new entrant in Pakistan’s auto market, Capital Smart Motors has already made an impact by introducing four well-known Chinese EV brands:
• Riddara – an all-electric pickup truck brand catering to commercial users.
• Zeekr – a high-end luxury EV brand aimed at premium buyers.
• Forthing – whose model Friday made history as Pakistan’s first range-extended electric C-SUV (REEV).
• JMEV – the maker of Elight, a sleek all-electric sedan.
Read more: Capital Smart Motors launches fully electric luxury EV Zeekr 009 in Pakistan
Until now, these vehicles were imported as CBUs (Completely Built-Up units)—a costly process that raised the bar for retail prices. With local assembly on the horizon, CSM expects to cut costs, create local jobs, and make EVs more affordable for Pakistani masses.
A Growing EV Ecosystem
CSM’s initiative joins a growing list of companies investing in the NEV sector of Pakistan. Earlier, Seres 3 became the country’s first locally assembled New Energy Vehicle. More recently, Hub Power Company (Hubco) partnered with Chinese EV giant BYD to set up another NEV assembly plant, expected to begin operations in 2026.
Industry experts are thinking that these developments as a major transformation for Pakistan’s automotive industry, which has long relied on fuel-based imports. As global demand for clean mobility rises, Pakistan’s shift toward localized NEV production could reduce import dependency, promote sustainability, and pave the way for a greener transport future.