By Zainab Shafiq 
The Punjab government has announced plans to deploy 400 electric buses as part of a strategy to address the worsening air quality in Lahore. The initiative, which was unveiled at a climate-focused conference, aims to combat the chronic smog problem in the city and promote cleaner transportation options.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that electric buses will play a vital role in reducing vehicle emissions, one of the main causes of Lahore’s persistent smog. She said that these buses are an integral part of Punjab’s 10-year anti-smog plan that combines advanced technology and policy reforms to tackle air pollution.
How electric buses will tackle air quality in Lahore?
The electric buses are set to be launched to improve the air quality of the city from January 2025 starting with only 27 buses. At the end of the year, 400 vehicles will be integrated into the public transportation network of the city. The move is part of a larger drive to replace conventional vehicles with sustainable alternatives: for example, 5.2 million motorcycles are set to be converted to electric models in Lahore.
On different levels, the government is dealing with smog. It has deployed electric buses, regulated brick kilns, encouraged eco-friendly farming practices, and targeted industrial pollution by closing smoke-emitting factories. These actions will help the administration in fulfilling its promise of reducing smog levels by 38% from the previous year.
The introduction of electric buses into the city to enhance the quality of air marks an important step toward reducing pollution in Lahore, a city that has been facing the long-standing problem of smog, particularly during winter. Officials still believe that this shift towards cleaner transport would greatly improve the air quality of the city and contribute to healthier living for its residents.