Tk75 Lakh EVs cleared for top govt officials

Government officials of grade 2 or above will be eligible to use fully electric vehicles (FEVs) costing up to Tk75 lakh, including registration, VAT and taxes, under government funding, according to a new Finance Ministry directive.

The directive, issued on Wednesday, has fixed price ceilings and minimum technical specifications for electric vehicles provided to officials of government offices, autonomous bodies, state-owned organisations and public-sector corporations.

Under the new rules, officials of grade 2 or above can receive FEVs costing a maximum of Tk75 lakh.

Officials of grade 3 and below will be eligible for FEVs costing up to Tk55 lakh, while the maximum price for electric cars in the lower category has been set at Tk50 lakh. All prices include registration costs, VAT and applicable taxes.

The government has made the purchase of electric vehicles through government funding mandatory in the current fiscal year, citing environmental protection and fuel savings as the main reasons.

The government has also reduced import duties and taxes on electric vehicles to encourage their use.

The Finance Ministry has also prescribed minimum technical standards for the vehicles.

An FEV costing up to Tk75 lakh must have a minimum motor power of 200 kilowatts, a battery capacity of at least 55kWh and a driving range of at least 430 kilometres on a full charge.

The vehicle must also come with an eight-year battery warranty and support DC fast charging of at least 80kW.

For FEVs in the Tk55 lakh category, the minimum motor power has been set at 150kW, with a battery capacity of at least 55kWh and a minimum range of 400 kilometres.

These vehicles must also have an eight-year battery warranty and DC fast-charging capability of at least 80kW.

For the Tk50 lakh electric-car category, the minimum requirements include a 95kW motor, a 50kWh battery and a minimum driving range of 400 kilometres.

The vehicle must also carry an eight-year battery warranty and support DC fast charging at a minimum of 80kW.

Deputy secretaries, additional secretaries and officials of equivalent rank are entitled to government vehicle facilities under existing rules.

Officials who do not purchase vehicles through interest-free government loans are provided with vehicles under the government vehicle facility.

The new directive comes as the government seeks to expand the use of electric vehicles in public-sector transport while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

By linking vehicle prices with officials’ grades and prescribing minimum performance standards, the Finance Ministry has established separate categories for government-funded electric vehicles.

The decision is expected to influence the type and price range of electric vehicles purchased for senior government officials during the current fiscal year.