PM test-drives locally made electric vehicles, assures support to manufacturers

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (23 May) test-drove locally manufactured electric vehicles (EVs) and praised the initiative, assuring necessary government support for the country's emerging EV industry.

In the morning, the Prime Minister visited an exhibition of electric vehicles brought to his office in Tejgaon by Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited, said his Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

During the visit, he said Tarique Rahman personally drove a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and a covered van manufactured by the company.

Shiplu said representatives of the company informed the Prime Minister that Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited is the country's first EV manufacturer.

They said the vehicles are fully battery-powered and environment-friendly, requiring no fuel oil and comparatively lower electricity costs.

They also said efforts have been made to keep the prices of the vehicles affordable for ordinary people.

The Prime Minister assured the manufacturers that the government would extend support if quality and safety standards are properly maintained and the country benefits from the initiative.

A total of two SUVs, one covered van, one truck, one autorickshaw and two motorcycles were displayed on the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) premises.

After arriving at the office around 10:05am, the Prime Minister inspected the vehicles before entering his office.

He first drove an SUV while a representative of the company briefed him on different technical features of the vehicle. He later test-drove a covered van as well.

Later, the Prime Minister held a meeting with company Chairman A Mannan Hossain Khan and Managing Director Mir Masud Kabir at his office, where they discussed the marketing and future prospects of EVs in Bangladesh.

After the meeting, Chairman A Mannan Hossain Khan said although the vehicles are being manufactured using local technology, some raw materials still need to be imported.

He said production costs could be reduced further if duty benefits are provided on imported raw materials.

Managing Director Mir Masud Kabir said the vehicles have been manufactured maintaining European standards, creating export potential in the near future.

According to the manufacturers, an SUV can travel more than 450 kilometres on a single charge. It takes around five to six hours for a full charge under normal charging conditions and about 30 minutes through fast charging.

The truck and covered van can travel around 200 kilometres on a single charge. Their batteries take about six hours for a full charge normally and around 40 minutes through fast charging.

Prime Minister's Defence Adviser retired Brig Gen AKM Shamsul Islam, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Press Secretary Saleh Shibly, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan were, among others, present.