Oil marketing companies expanding amid govt’s EV focus
KARACHI: Oil marketing companies (OMCs) appear more focused on opening new fuel retail outlets, a trend that seems at odds with the government’s newly announced auto policy, which aims to make vehicles affordable and promote electric vehicles (EVs) adoption. The Auto Policy 2026-31 aims to make 30 per cent of all new vehicles in Pakistan electric by 2030. Oil marketing companies are more upbeat…
Oil marketing companies (OMCs) in Pakistan are expanding their retail outlets as the government pushes for the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs), despite an ineffective public transport system that leaves consumers reliant on personal vehicles. The government's Auto Policy 2026-31 aims to make 30 per cent of new vehicles electric by 2030.
Currently, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has developed 37 new retail sites, bringing its nationwide network to 3,727 outlets, the largest in the country. Wafi Energy Pakistan Ltd added 54 new Shell retail sites and nine electric vehicle charging locations, while Attock Petroleum Ltd (APL) commissioned five new retail outlets and phased out six underperforming sites.
APL also expanded its EV charging infrastructure in collaboration with Huawei Technologies Pakistan and AE Power Energy. The government has issued licences to 50 OMCs, with 48 companies currently operating in Pakistan. Despite the shift towards EVs, petrol demand remains robust due to the prevalence of older vehicles on the roads and the lack of policies mandating vehicle scrappage.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
