Islamabad: LUMS Pakistan in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) organized 2nd Symposium on Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) in Pakistan. The symposium brought together senior leaders, policy makers, academics and industry experts with this year’s focus on “Accelerating the transition to electrification in Pakistan”. The event featured a variety of speaker sessions and panel discussions on the progress, challenges and ways of vehicle electrification in the country in line with global trends.
Speaking on the scope of BEV in Pakistan, Dr. Shakeel Sadiq Jajja, Chairman of the Symposium and Associate Professor Suleiman Dawood School of Business, LUMS, said, “Electrification of transportation has grown rapidly in the world in the last few years. The main environmental benefits associated with BEVs are lower tailpipe emissions, and the cost which is lower. If these vehicles are powered by sustainable electricity sources, the environmental benefits are fully realized. On another level, BEVs enable the development of new supply chains and industries that are important for the future of the economy, such as batteries, robotics and big data “
The symposium covered key areas from the Electric Vehicle (EV) landscape in Pakistan to industry perspectives on demand, supply, charging and financing. The event also featured an exhibition of EV-related products and services. BEV has become a key platform for government and industry to promote dialogue and collaboration across the value chain.
Ms. Jen Jungeun Oh, South Asia Practice Manager, Transport, World Bank, said, “The EV Symposium brought together the key stakeholders of the EV ecosystem in Pakistan and created a series of beneficial activities. Stakeholders agreed on the need for concerted action to catalyze EV adoption in the country, the main focus in two- and three-wheelers and electric buses, given their prevalence and socioeconomic importance. Key strategies include strengthening the policy environment, reducing the cost of procurement, especially for e-buses, and providing commercial financing through risk-sharing instruments work with the EV ecosystem on this journey.”
Zeshan Sheikh, IFC Country Manager for Pakistan and Afghanistan, added: “Globally, IFC has invested more than $3 billion in e-mobility initiatives in recent years, and we aim to use our expertise to support the private sector. and the Government of Pakistan in creating an enabling environment to boost investment in BEVs in Pakistan.”
The event showcases the commitment of LUMS, HEC, the World Bank and IFC to promote innovation and address critical social challenges through joint efforts. By leveraging the collective experiences and insights of the participants, the symposium aims to move towards a greener and more sustainable future for transportation in Pakistan.
