Locally assembled e-bikes hit market

KARACHI: With most bike assemblers looking towards China for collaboration in the local assembly of electric bikes (e-bikes), a Punjab-based assembler claims to have introduced an indigenous model in the market that is also cheaper on the wallet.

"We have introduced the JE-70 e-bike with our indigenously developed technology. No foreign funding, no joint venture with the Chinese or any country in the world," said Mohammad Usman Sheikh, the CEO of Jolta Electric, in a conversation with media.

Last week, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched Jolta's JE-70 model at a ceremony held in Islamabad. The locally developed e-bike is priced at Rs82,500 and has a maximum speed limit of 60 km per hour.

The government is reported to have received 17 applications from various investors for local assembly of e-bikes in Pakistan. Without mentioning the total investment in the assembly line at Lahore's Sundar Industrial Estate, the CEO said he could not tell how many e-bikes had been booked so far after the launching last week. "An overwhelming response was received from new buyers," he said confidently.

"Students, teachers and courier companies have shown their interest in the e-bike," he said, adding that people in the interior of Sindh and Punjab are keen on the model given their movement of short distance of 15-20 km between towns and villages.

"The e-bike needs an overnight charging of 1.5 units at home which is sufficient for 80km ride. The bike will only cost Rs1,000 per month on consumers' wallet as compared to Rs4,000-5,000 on petrol-driven 70cc bike. An e-bike owner will save at least Rs4,000 per month," he added.