Electric vehicle (EV) owners in Lahore are facing higher public charging expenses as some charging stations have reportedly increased their rates from Rs90 to Rs100 per unit.

The price adjustment has raised concerns among EV users about the cost of operating electric vehicles and the pricing practices of commercial charging service providers.

According to a report by 24NewsHD on Tuesday, several charging station operators have raised their customer rates, with some now charging Rs100 for each unit of electricity consumed.

The reported increase comes as Pakistan continues to expand its electric vehicle charging infrastructure under its national EV policy.

Under the existing regulatory framework, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved a base electricity tariff of Rs23.57 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for EV charging stations.

However, this figure should not be confused with the final retail price paid by customers. Electricity-related adjustments, applicable charges, operating expenses and commercial margins can affect the amount charged at public charging facilities.

NEPRA also removed the previously capped Rs24.44 per-unit margin for charging station operators in its April 2025 decision, allowing market forces to determine their margins.

The change was intended to encourage investment in EV charging infrastructure and support the expansion of public charging facilities.

Consequently, the electricity tariff paid by a charging station and the price offered to EV customers can be different.

The latest reported increase has brought renewed attention to the pricing structure of public EV charging services in Lahore.

The absence of a uniform retail price means customers may encounter different rates depending on the charging provider and location.

Public charging costs can also vary according to charger capacity, equipment requirements, maintenance and other business expenses.

For EV owners who regularly depend on commercial charging stations, higher per-unit rates could increase their monthly transportation costs.

The overall impact will depend on the vehicle’s battery capacity, electricity consumption and frequency of charging.

For example, charging a vehicle with 30 units of electricity at Rs100 per unit would cost Rs3,000, compared with Rs2,700 at the previous reported rate of Rs90 per unit.

This represents an additional expense of Rs300 for the same amount of electricity.

The increase may also influence comparisons between public EV charging and home charging, where electricity costs are calculated under residential tariffs rather than commercial charging rates.

NEPRA’s approved base tariff of Rs23.57 per unit forms part of the government’s effort to make charging infrastructure more attractive for investors.

However, the regulator’s decision to remove the fixed margin cap means the approved base tariff does not automatically establish a maximum customer price.

The reported increase has therefore highlighted the importance of transparent pricing and clear information for electric vehicle users.

As public charging networks continue to develop in Lahore and other major cities, customers may benefit from comparing rates at different stations before starting a charging session.

For now, EV owners are advised to check the displayed charging price and any additional service charges before using commercial charging facilities.

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The latest development has raised fresh questions about how Pakistan can balance investment in electric vehicle infrastructure with affordable charging services for consumers.