What it really costs to charge an EV in Pakistan
Model-by-model math for every EV sold in Pakistan in 2026 — home vs TOU night vs public fast-charging. Includes the solar + EV break-even nobody's writing about.
Per-model running cost
| Model | Battery | Range | Full charge (Unprotected) | Full charge (TOU night) | Rs./km | Petrol equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD Atto 3 (Extended) | 60.5 kWh | 480 km | Rs. 2,584 | Rs. 1,513 | Rs. 3.15 (TOU) | Rs. 21.7 (petrol Alto) |
| BYD Sealion 6 PHEV | 18.3 kWh + petrol | 80 km EV / 1000 km hybrid | Rs. 782 | Rs. 458 | Rs. 5.72 (EV only, TOU) | Rs. 25 (hybrid mode) |
| Deepal S07 | 79.9 kWh | 485 km | Rs. 3,413 | Rs. 1,998 | Rs. 4.12 (TOU) | — |
| Haval H6 HEV | 1.8 kWh (hybrid) | 1000 km (fuel) | n/a (self-charge) | n/a | Rs. 14 (petrol-hybrid) | Rs. 21.7 (petrol) |
| MG ZS EV (Std) | 50.3 kWh | 320 km | Rs. 2,148 | Rs. 1,258 | Rs. 3.93 (TOU) | Rs. 21.7 (petrol) |
| MG 4 EV | 64 kWh | 425 km | Rs. 2,734 | Rs. 1,600 | Rs. 3.76 (TOU) | Rs. 21.7 (petrol) |
| Audi e-tron 55 | 95 kWh | 436 km | Rs. 4,058 | Rs. 2,375 | Rs. 5.45 (TOU) | Rs. 34 (Audi Q7 petrol) |
| Peugeot e-2008 | 50 kWh | 340 km | Rs. 2,136 | Rs. 1,250 | Rs. 3.68 (TOU) | Rs. 24 (2008 petrol) |
Cost per km assumes 90% charging efficiency and the manufacturer's WLTP/CLTC range. Real-world range in Pakistan (heat, AC, city traffic) is typically 15–20% lower — add ~15% to the per-km cost.
Charger options in Pakistan
| Charger | Power | Time to full (60 kWh) | Install cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 15A socket | 2.3 kW | 26 h (60 kWh) | Free (already installed) | Overnight top-ups <200 km/day |
| Home wallbox 7 kW | 7.4 kW | 8 h | Rs. 80–150k install | Daily charging, single-phase homes |
| Three-phase wallbox 11 kW | 11 kW | 5.5 h | Rs. 150–250k install + 3-phase upgrade | Multiple EVs / commercial premises |
| DC fast charger (public) | 50–150 kW | 30–60 min (20–80%) | Rs. 45–65/unit | Highway / trip charging |
Solar + EV: the killer combination
A 7 kW rooftop system generates ~950 units/month in Pakistan. An EV driving 1,500 km/month consumes ~250 units. That means your solar covers your car with 700 units to spare for the house.
Financially: under 2026 net-billing, each solar unit self-consumed into the EV avoids Rs. 42.72 of imported electricity. If the same unit is exported it earns Rs. 12. So charging the EV during solar hours (10 AM – 4 PM) captures Rs. 30/unit extra value vs exporting — Rs. 7,500/month on 250 units. This is why solar + EV is the highest-return home investment currently available in Pakistan.
Setup: install a smart wallbox that reads solar generation (Huawei FusionCharge, Wallbox Pulsar Plus, or a smart plug + timer for basic setups) and only draws when solar output exceeds house load.
Break-even vs petrol / hybrid
- Full BEV on TOU night charging: Rs. 3.5/km — 84% cheaper than petrol.
- Full BEV on flat Unprotected: Rs. 6/km — 72% cheaper than petrol.
- Full BEV on public DC fast: Rs. 8–10/km — 55% cheaper than petrol.
- Full BEV on solar (self-consumed): Rs. 0.7/km amortised — 97% cheaper than petrol.
- PHEV in EV mode: Rs. 5–6/km. In petrol mode: Rs. 20–25/km.
- HEV (Haval H6, Corolla Cross): Rs. 14–16/km — no plug required.
The gap widens every year — Pakistan's electricity tariff rises ~8-12%/year, petrol rises 15-25%/year. EV per-km cost stays roughly flat because most of the input is off-peak grid or self-generated solar.