KARACHI: Soaring fuel prices are shifting Pakistan’s SUV market towards plug-in hybrids and range-extended electric vehicles (EVs), as motorists seek relief from rising running costs, according to Syed Asif Ahmed, director sales and marketing at Chery Master Pakistan.
Petrol prices, currently above Rs320 per litre, have made conventional SUVs increasingly expensive to operate, turning what was once an environmental choice into an economic one, Ahmed said.
A typical petrol-powered SUV delivering about 10 kilometres per litre costs roughly Rs32 per kilometre to run at current prices, while even conventional hybrids average around Rs18 per kilometre, leaving drivers exposed to fuel price volatility.
Plug-in hybrids and range-extended EVs, however, allow most daily travel to be completed on electricity, significantly lowering costs. Using the Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV as an example, Ahmed said a full charge of its 34.46 kWh battery costs about Rs1,700 and delivers around 170 kilometres of range, translating to roughly Rs10 per kilometre.
“That creates a substantial cost advantage over both petrol SUVs and conventional hybrids,” he said, adding that savings are even greater for households using rooftop solar power.Pakistan’s growing adoption of solar energy is reinforcing this shift, enabling some consumers to cut both electricity and transport costs while reducing exposure to fuel price swings.
Ahmed said plug-in hybrids and REEVs also offer greater flexibility than fully electric vehicles, combining electric-led urban driving with conventional backup for longer journeys, an important factor given the country’s limited charging infrastructure.
He added that the transition has broader economic implications, as Pakistan remains heavily reliant on imported fuel, exposing public finances to global oil price shocks.With petrol prices expected to stay elevated, Ahmed said plug-in hybrids and range-extended EVs are emerging as the most practical option for SUV buyers seeking to manage costs without sacrificing utility.
