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[Soaring Oil Prices and Fuel Shortages Drive Pakistanis to Buy Electric Motorcycles] ⑴ Following Iran's effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, two electric motorcycle shops 1,400 kilometers apart in Pakistan have seen a surge in inquiries. The first merchant in the northern city of Rawalpind to convert gasoline-powered vehicles to electric reported a 70% increase in sales in March. ⑵ Pakistan imports almost all of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite government assurances of ample supply, rumors of shortages persist. Approximately 40% of the country's gasoline is used in 30 million two- and three-wheeled vehicles. An electric motorcycle retailer stated that recent sales growth has been the steepest ever, with people fearing a future shortage of gasoline. ⑶ Following last week's 18% price increase by the government, a middle-income family now spends 31% of their daily income on one liter of gasoline. Data shows that this year, electric two-wheelers account for more than 10% of monthly two-wheeler sales for the first time, and the cost of using traditional gasoline is up to 10 times that of charging. (4) The government's electric vehicle incentive program, implemented in February, subsidizes one-fifth of the vehicle price and provides interest-free loans for the remainder. It has received approximately 270,000 applications, nearly seven times the initial target. The program aims to subsidize 2 million electric vehicles over five years, saving nearly $500 million annually in fuel import costs. (5) Inexpensive solar power provides a unique advantage for electric vehicle charging in Pakistan. Chinese brands such as Yadea, Jinpeng, and Aima dominate the electric two-wheeler market, while BYD is also deploying charging stations through local partners. However, industry insiders warn that a prolonged war could strain the financial incentive program, and a lack of after-sales service could weaken consumer confidence.