Govt backs local EV industry

The government will extend necessary support to Bangladesh’s emerging electric vehicle (EV) industry after test-driving several locally manufactured EVs at his office in Tejgaon, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said.

During a visit to an exhibition organised by Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited on Saturday, the Prime Minister drove a locally made sports utility vehicle (SUV) and a covered van, praising the initiative for promoting environmentally friendly and affordable transport solutions.

Officials of the company informed him that the vehicles are fully battery-powered, fuel-efficient and designed to reduce transportation costs for ordinary consumers.

The Prime Minister said the government would provide necessary support to the sector provided that manufacturers maintain proper quality and safety standards and ensure national economic benefits. The exhibition at the Prime Minister’s Office featured two SUVs, a covered van, a truck, an autorickshaw and two motorcycles manufactured using local technology.

Later, Tarique Rahman held talks with company Chairman A Mannan Hossain Khan and Managing Director Mir Masud Kabir on the future prospects and marketing of EVs in Bangladesh.

The company leaders said production costs could fall further if duty benefits are provided on imported raw materials, while also highlighting the export potential of the vehicles manufactured to European standards.

According to the manufacturers, the SUV can travel over 450 kilometres on a single charge, while the truck and covered van can run around 200 kilometres per charge.