Observer Report
Lahore
LUMS has been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability in Pakistan. A seminar was organized recently at the Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB), LUMS, for the stakeholders of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The session focused on industry readiness for manufacturing of BEVs in Pakistan, and featured the latest research and viability of the concept, in addition to addressing policy and manufacturing challenges. The seminar was part of the research efforts being spearheaded at LUMS by faculty members, Dr. Muhammad Shakeel Sadiq Jajja and Dr. Syed Zahoor Hassan, with the support of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Energy Centre, Islamabad. Dr. Haritha Saranga from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) participated in the event via Skype. The event was attended by automobile manufacturers, including Atlas Honda, Honda Cars, Porsche Centre Lahore, and Indus Motor Company Limited (Toyota). Other manufacturers, including Millat Equipment Limited, Treet Bikes, United Motors, Volvo-VPL, Road Prince, Sazgar Engineering Works Limited, Songuo Motors, Jolta Motors, and Power Electronics Pakistan were in attendance as well. Representatives from industry and trade associations, including Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala Chambers of Commerce and Industry; GFC Fans, Fast Cables, Hadron Solar and Uber, as well as government officials from the Engineering Development Board and the Ministry of Climate Change, took part in the event. Additionally, a number of entrepreneurs, academics, and policymakers pioneering the electric vehicle concept in Pakistan and abroad were present. The seminar was inaugurated by Dr. Alnoor Bhimani, Honourary Dean, SDSB, who emphasised the need for effective policymaking and legislation to enact long term changes. Dr. Syed Zahoor Hassan then led the audience through the basics of battery electric vehicle technology and various technical details.5
