The US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E) at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), and Jolta Electric, a designer, developer, manufacturer and assembler of electric vehicle kits in Pakistan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaboration vis-à-vis provision of technical assistance for indigenous development of Lithium Ion batteries and super-capacitor cells for Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Held at the Islamabad campus of the university, the MoU signing ceremony was graced by the presence of Malik Amin Aslam, advisor to the prime minister on climate change.
Muhammad Azim, chairman Jolta Group, and Dr Adeel Waqas, principal and dean USPCAS-E NUST, signed the MoU on behalf of Jolta and NUST respectively, said a press release issued here on Saturday.
Under the MoU, a dedicated energy storage lab will be established at the USPCAS-E NUST. Headed by Associate Professor Dr Naseem Iqbal, the lab will focus on R&D activities for the development of Li-ion batteries and super-capacitors for EVs.
The understanding is also in line with the approved National Electric Vehicles Policy (NEVP), aimed at seeing electric vehicles capture of 30 percent of the market.
The EVs can contribute significantly to the low carbon future.
Advisor to the PM on Climate Change Aslam acknowledged the NUST's contributions towards finding indigenous solutions to social and industry problems.
He also commended the University for being the first in Pakistan to transfer technology to industry.
Aslam said that the MoU was a step towards indigenization of electric vehicle manufacturing and would enable Pakistan to become part of the global value chain in the field of electric vehicles, which he termed "future of the world."
Lieutenant General Naweed Zaman (retd) Rector NUST remarked that the electricity demand for EVs could be met through green and clean renewable energy resources.
He held that introduction of locally-manufactured EVs would help cut oil import bills of Pakistan and yield countless benefits for environment, adding the penetration of EVs was directly in line with the United Nations' SDGs.
Muhammad Azim thanked rector NUST for reaching out to Jolta Electric, and expressed interest in joining Pakistan's first S&T Park, the National Science and Technology Park (NSTP), at NUST.
The CEO OBORtunity Consulting (Pvt) Ltd, Hamza Orakzai, Senior Vice Chairman Pakistan Electric Vehicles and Spare Parts Manufacturers and Traders Association (PEVPMTA) Muhammad Ayaz, President Syntech Global (Pvt) Ltd Akbar Lakhani, CEO Syntech Global (Pvt) Ltd Asad Altaf, CEO Engineering Development Board (EDB) Mirza Nasir Baig, Director Airlift Brigadier Shahjahan Ali Khan, Group General Manager Technical Fauji Fertilizer Company (FFC) Rehan Ahmed and others attended the event.-PR