Lahore, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) held the 2nd Symposium on Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, the World Bank, and the International Finance Corporation. The event, titled “Accelerating the Electric Mobility Transition in Pakistan,” drew senior leaders, policymakers, academics, and industry experts to discuss the electrification of transportation and its alignment with global trends.
According to Lahore University of Management Sciences, the symposium was chaired by Dr. Shakeel Sadiq Jajja, Associate Professor at the Suleman Dawood School of Business, LUMS. Dr. Jajja emphasized the rapid global rise in the electrification of transportation, highlighting the environmental benefits of BEVs, such as zero tail-pipe emissions and lower operational costs. He noted that these benefits are maximized when BEVs are powered by sustainable electricity sources and pointed out the potential for developing new industries around BEVs, including batteries, robotics, big data, and analytics.
The symposium addressed various aspects of the Electric Vehicle landscape in Pakistan, from international best practices to local industry perspectives on demand, supply, charging infrastructure, and financing. It also featured an exhibition of EV-related products and services, serving as a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders.
Ms. Jen Jungeun Oh, Practice Manager, Transport, South Asia, at the World Bank, remarked on the symposium’s success in bringing together essential players in Pakistan’s EV ecosystem. She outlined a strategic focus on adopting electric two and three-wheelers and buses, crucial for their socio-economic impact. Ms. Oh discussed strategies for enhancing EV adoption, including strengthening policies, reducing capital costs through local procurement for e-buses, and facilitating affordable commercial financing.
Mr. Zeeshan Sheikh, IFC’s Country Manager for Pakistan and Afghanistan, shared insights into the IFC’s global investments in e-mobility, which exceed USD 3 billion. He affirmed the IFC’s commitment to leveraging this experience to support Pakistan’s BEV sector by enhancing the investment and regulatory environment.
The symposium underscored the collaborative commitment of LUMS, HEC, the World Bank, and IFC to foster innovation and tackle significant societal challenges, aiming to set a course for a more sustainable and greener transportation future in Pakistan.