Lahore, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) hosted the 2nd Symposium on Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, the World Bank, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The event, themed “Accelerating the Electric Mobility Transition in Pakistan,” brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, and industry leaders, to discuss the electrification of transportation in line with global advancements.

According to Lahore University of Management Sciences, Dr. Shakeel Sadiq Jajja, Chair of the Symposium and Associate Professor at the Suleman Dawood School of Business, LUMS, highlighted the environmental and economic benefits of BEVs, emphasizing their potential to reduce emissions and operational costs when powered by sustainable electricity sources. The symposium addressed the entire EV landscape in Pakistan, covering international best practices, and industry perspectives on demand, supply, charging infrastructure, and financing.

Ms. Jen Jungeun Oh, Practice Manager, Transport, South Asia, at the World Bank, detailed the collaborative outcomes of the symposium, stressing the need for strategic action to boost EV adoption in Pakistan, particularly focusing on electric two and three-wheelers and buses. She outlined key strategies for strengthening the policy environment and reducing capital costs through localization strategies.

Mr. Zeeshan Sheikh, IFC’s Country Manager for Pakistan and Afghanistan, discussed IFC’s global investments in e-mobility, expressing commitment to leveraging these experiences to support the private sector and government initiatives in Pakistan. The event also featured an exhibition of EV-related products and services, underscoring the collaborative effort to foster a sustainable transportation future in Pakistan.