Bangladesh's first locally made EVs set to hit roads in July
PM test-drives models, assures govt support
Bangladesh is set to commercialise its first locally manufactured electric vehicles this July, marking a significant milestone for the country's industrial sector as Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited prepares to launch a diverse lineup of cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles.
Ahead of the launch, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (23 May) test-drove locally made electric vehicles and assured government support for the sector during a visit to an exhibition organised by Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited at his office in the capital's Tejgaon.
The exhibition featured a range of vehicles developed by the company, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), motorcycles, a truck, a covered van and an auto-rickshaw.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Following the exhibition, the prime minister held a meeting with BAIL Chairman A Mannan Hossain Khan and Managing Director Mir Masud Kabir to discuss the future of electric mobility and automobile manufacturing in Bangladesh.
Speaking to TBS after the meeting, Mannan said the vehicles had been developed using local technology, although some raw materials still need to be imported. He said production costs could be reduced further if the government provides duty benefits on imported raw materials used in EV manufacturing.
Kabir said the vehicles had been manufactured in line with European standards, creating opportunities for future exports.
Charging capacity and performance
According to the company, its electric SUV can travel more than 450 kilometres on a single charge. Under normal charging conditions, the battery requires around five to six hours for a full recharge, while fast charging can recharge the vehicle in about 30 minutes.
The company's electric truck and covered van can travel around 200 kilometres on a single charge. Their batteries require approximately six hours for a full recharge and about 40 minutes through fast charging.
The manufacturer said the vehicles are fully battery-powered and environmentally friendly, requiring no fuel oil and significantly lower operating costs than conventional vehicles.
Company officials said efforts had been made to keep prices affordable in order to accelerate EV adoption in Bangladesh.
The prime minister praised the initiative and assured support if the company maintains quality and safety standards while contributing to the country's industrial development.
Investment and product features
The company has invested around Tk1,500 crore to establish its EV manufacturing plant at the Mirsharai Economic Zone in Chattogram.
It said it is the first automobile manufacturer in Bangladesh capable of developing and manufacturing EV platforms and vehicle bodies locally.
"Our top priority is customer support and reliability," said Kabir. "We are trying to offer customers quality products at affordable prices while preparing to play a major role in developing the country's EV ecosystem."
The company said all vehicles will come with a five-year warranty and dedicated after-sales service facilities. Glyder motorcycles and Otomax three-wheelers will also feature removable batteries to make charging more convenient for users.
