BYD EV Plant in Sindh Misses Launch Target Again

Hub Power Company (Hubco) has delayed the launch of its $150 million BYD electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant in Gharo, Sindh, with operations now expected to begin in the second half of 2026. The facility had initially been scheduled to commence operations in the first half of FY26. The continued delay comes as Pakistan’s new-energy vehicle (NEV) market records rapid growth, while competitors such as Chery move to expand their presence in the country’s growing EV segment.

Hub Power Company (Hubco) has once again postponed the launch of its BYD electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant in Gharo, Sindh. The facility was originally scheduled to begin operations in the first half of FY26 but is now expected to become operational in the second half of 2026.

However, two months of the revised timeline have already passed without any visible progress. The company has not publicly explained the latest delay or provided updates on the plant’s development, localization plans or expected initial import volumes.

Hubco entered Pakistan’s EV market in June 2024 through a joint venture with Chinese automaker BYD. Mega Motor Company (MMCPL), in which Hubco holds a 50% stake, is overseeing the project. The venture involves a total investment of $150 million, including $90 million in project financing. Its initial expansion plan also included four flagship dealerships and three service centres across three major Pakistani cities. Mega Motor had set an ambitious target of securing a 30% share of Pakistan’s EV and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) market by 2030.

While the assembly plant faces delays, Hubco continues to invest in EV charging infrastructure through its Hubco Green initiative. The company currently operates 24 DC fast-charging sites along the Karachi-Peshawar motorway network, with stations located approximately 200 kilometres apart. Hubco plans to eventually reduce this distance to 100 kilometres, allowing EV users to recharge their vehicles within around 25–45 minutes.

The delay comes as competition in Pakistan’s rapidly expanding EV market gathers pace. Chery Master Pakistan (CMP) is set to launch its all-electric Chery Q at the Pakistan Auto Show on September 18, adding another player to the country’s growing new-energy vehicle (NEV) segment.

Pakistan’s NEV market expanded by 392% during FY26, with EVs now accounting for nearly 15% of the country’s automobile market.

CMP is also positioning EVs as a cost-effective option for households with rooftop solar systems. A conventional petrol vehicle travelling around 20,000 kilometres annually can incur fuel expenses of approximately Rs. 488,000. By comparison, the Chery Q’s reported efficiency of 7.2 kilometres per unit could bring annual running costs down to around Rs. 30,000 for households using surplus solar power to charge their vehicles.