The GWM Tank 500 PHEV has officially landed in Pakistan, marking a milestone as one of the country’s first locally assembled plug-in hybrid SUVs. With bookings kicking off from 26 January, this full-size luxury SUV is already stirring serious attention among buyers and enthusiasts alike.
What’s New With the PHEV Version?
The Tank 500 name isn’t new to Pakistan, but the PHEV version sure is. While earlier HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) editions relied on a standard hybrid setup, the PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) ups the game with a larger battery and the ability to plug in and drive on pure electric power.
PHEV means more than just better efficiency: it changes how you use the vehicle every day. Bigger batteries, an electric-first driving mode, and a smoother urban experience are beginning to rival all-electric cars without range anxiety.
Under the Hood and On the Road
Official specs show the Tank 500 PHEV pairs a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined output that plays in the premium SUV space. It uses a body-on-frame Hi4-T 4WD setup, emphasizing both on-road comfort and off-road capability.
The battery pack is substantial, at around 37 kWh, which is a big jump over what’s typically found in HEV systems.
The electric component isn’t just for show: it gives real EV-mode driving potential and a quieter, more refined throttle feel around town.
Battery, Seating, and Packaging
One question that kept coming up during the reveal was about the third-row seating and battery placement. With a much larger battery pack in the PHEV, space packaging becomes critical.
The quick clarification? The Tank 500 PHEV still retains the external spare wheel setup, and the battery is placed in areas that don’t compromise rear passenger space.
Warranty: Clearing the Confusion
This part of the video review gets practical.
There’s a misconception floating around that Chinese cars don’t come with meaningful warranty coverage. The Tank 500 PHEV launch sets that straight with claims of:
Up to 10-year engine coverage
8-year battery warranty
Long hybrid system support
It was emphasized that an eight-year battery warranty doesn’t mean forced replacement after that period; it simply covers defects or failures within that time.
Price, Bookings, and Delivery
We now have official numbers: the PHEV variant’s ex-factory price is around PKR 22,500,000.
Bookings opened at the end of January with an initial delivery estimate of 3–4 months, but overwhelming demand has pushed that timeline out.
Rather than close bookings, the company extended delivery estimates and kept orders open, pointing to surprisingly strong interest and early in-market enthusiasm.
Production and Future Supply
According to discussions during the reveal, current production is hovering around 60–70 units per day, with plans to scale up to 120 units per day on a new assembly line.
This could mean around 1,700 vehicles per month across variants once everything ramps up, not just Tanks but other models too.
A Big Step for Pakistan’s SUV Buyers
The Tank 500 PHEV arrives as more than just a new SUV; it signals a shift in what Pakistani buyers can realistically expect from large, premium vehicles. You get the presence and capability of a traditional body-on-frame SUV, but layered with a genuinely usable electric driving experience, strong warranty backing, and local production plans that aim to meet real demand.
