At the inauguration ceremony, CM Maryam announced that around 1,100 e-taxies will be provided under the scheme at subsidised rates. About 30% of the vehicles are reserved for women entrepreneurs.

“Punjab has become the first province to launch an e-taxi scheme, the first of its kind, not only for the environment, but it will also open up employment opportunities,” CM Maryam said.

“I am happy that over 30 pc of the scheme’s beneficiaries are women,” she added, highlighting the government’s focus on inclusive mobility.

The chief minister said the initiative is part of the government’s efforts to establish an “e-mobility ecosystem”. She also mentioned that green buses are already running as an example for other provinces and that the service will expand to all 148 tehsils of Punjab.

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Regarding the e-taxis, CM Maryam said the government is providing a subsidy of up to Rs4 billion for these 1,100 cars. Out of the 30% down payment required, the government will cover 15%, allowing buyers to take a taxi home for Rs690,000 today.

She further announced that for women, the government will cover 60% of the downpayment cost.

“Within the next 48 hours, you will see these e-taxis on the roads of Lahore and other districts in Punjab,” the chief minister added.

The Transport and Mass Transit Department of Punjab posted on X that the scheme is a “major step towards clean mobility, employment generation, and inclusive transport opportunities” for the province.

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This e-taxi scheme provides affordable green transport and creates jobs, especially for women. Subsidies reduce financial barriers, but success will depend on adoption and proper maintenance of e-taxis.