Lucky Motor, the authorized assembler and distributor of KIA vehicles in Pakistan, is set to make a major entry into the electric vehicle (EV) market by introducing a range of electric SUVs, including the high-end KIA EV9. This marks a significant step in the country’s shift toward sustainable transportation.
Muhammad Faisal, CEO of Lucky Motor, confirmed that the KIA EV9, the company’s flagship electric SUV, will soon be launched, with plans to introduce a more compact model, the EV3, in the future. These new electric models will be imported as completely built units (CBUs).
Following the successful launch of the KIA EV5 in October 2024, which has already seen deliveries to numerous buyers, Faisal expressed confidence in the growing demand for electric vehicles in Pakistan. The EV5 comes in two variants: the long-range Earth model, offering 620 km on a single charge and priced at Rs23 million, and the shorter-range Air model, offering 480 km for Rs18.5 million.
Faisal noted that the primary buyers of the EV5 are corporate executives and business owners from major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. He also pointed out that while electric vehicles are still relatively expensive compared to traditional cars, they are increasingly viewed as status symbols in the local market.
Although the government is promoting EVs and plans to set up 3,500 charging stations in partnership with a Chinese firm, Faisal expressed some skepticism regarding the government’s ambitious target to make electric vehicles 30% of total sales by 2030. He estimated that the market share might only reach 10% by then.
Lucky Motor’s move into the electric vehicle sector is part of a broader trend toward environmentally friendly transportation in Pakistan, as the company aims to cater to a growing market for sustainable vehicles.