Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the cabinet’s weekly meeting, the minister said the oil production will rise to 3.4m bpd by the end of summer.

On Monday, he said Iran’s oil production did not exceed 2m bpd when the 13th (incumbent) administration took office, adding the country’s current crude oil production capacity stands at 3.8m bpd.

EV production

Owji said the Oil Ministry and the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade are jointly following a plan to reduce air pollution.

Production of electric vehicles (EVs) for public transport fleet is among the projects the two ministries are pursuing, explained the top official, adding the Oil Ministry will grant credit equal to saved fuel on the basis of the Persian Gulf free on board (FOB) price to those who make investments in this sector.

The plan gives first priority to taxis and pickup trucks, mentioned the minister, adding the project will help reduce air pollution.