Day 3: Technical Sessions & Q&A | SAARC EV Charging Infrastructure Workshop 2026

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The presentation offers substantial practical value for policymakers and regulators in developing countries, particularly in South Asia. It provides a clear framework for developing EV standards, emphasising performance-based criteria over technology mandates. The argumentation is grounded in real-world examples, such as the failure of lead-acid batteries to meet cycle life requirements without oversizing, and the need to phase in stricter braking standards to avoid excluding local manufacturers. The speaker argues convincingly for data-driven standards, citing the lack of accident and fatality data in developing countries as a major obstacle. He also highlights the importance of testing battery lifespan, as it is the least accessible parameter for consumers. The discussion on where to test—government versus private facilities—is nuanced, acknowledging trade-offs between cost, speed, and corruption risks. The argument for simplifying tests, such as the rain test, demonstrates a pragmatic approach to making standards accessible. Overall, the reasoning is logical and supported by the speaker’s extensive experience, though some claims remain anecdotal.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The presentation is rigorous in its technical content, drawing on established international standards (European, US, Chinese) and the speaker’s own testing experience. However, it lacks explicit citations or references to specific documents, relying instead on general knowledge and examples. The title accurately reflects the content, as the video is indeed a technical session from a workshop on EV charging infrastructure. The Q&A session is mentioned but not fully captured in the transcript. The speaker’s credibility is high, given his role as CTO of a testing facility and involvement in standards development. The absence of a formal bibliography or data sources slightly reduces the scientific rigour, but the practical insights are valuable. No comments were provided for analysis.

The title accurately reflects the content: the video is the third day of a workshop featuring technical sessions and a Q&A on EV charging infrastructure, with presentations on standards, testing, and policy.

7/10

The session is delivered by a recognised technical expert with decades of hands-on experience in EV testing and standards development. The content is grounded in practical engineering and regulatory practice, with concrete examples (Malaysia, Pakistan, Southeast Asia). However, the presentation is largely oral, with few explicit citations or data sources, and some claims (e.g., fire risk comparison, corruption in private testing) are anecdotal rather than referenced.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 02:00Introduction to the third day and the technical session on code standards and business models.
• 05:00Dr. Horizon Briggs begins his presentation on global standards and testing of electric vehicles.
• 10:00Explanation of the three main purposes of standards: safety, quality, and compatibility.
• 15:00Discussion on technology-blind standards and the example of battery cycle life.
• 20:00Where to test: government vs. private facilities, and issues of corruption.
• 25:00How to determine what to specify in standards: customer complaints and manufacturer claims.
• 30:00The process of developing standards in Malaysia and the importance of data.
• 35:00Challenges in developing countries: lack of data on accidents and fatalities.
• 40:00Example of braking standards for two-wheelers in Pakistan and the need for phased implementation.
• 45:00Overview of EV-specific standards: battery safety, range, electromagnetic compatibility.

• SAARC Training Workshop on Electric Vehicles and its Charging Infrastructure — Official workshop page with resources and presentations.