Bangladesh Prime Minister test-drives local EVs, promises support

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman test-drove locally manufactured electric vehicles (EVs) and expressed strong support for Bangladesh's burgeoning EV industry. He visited an exhibition at his office in Tejgaon, featuring vehicles from Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited, the nation's first EV manufacturer.

During the visit, the prime minister personally drove a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and a covered van produced by the company. Representatives highlighted that the vehicles are fully battery-powered, environmentally friendly, require no fuel oil, and have lower electricity costs. They also emphasized efforts to keep prices affordable for the general public. Prime Minister Rahman assured the manufacturers of government support, provided that quality and safety standards are maintained and the initiative benefits the country.

The exhibition showcased two SUVs, one covered van, one truck, one autorickshaw, and two motorcycles. After inspecting the vehicles, the prime minister met with company Chairman A. Mannan Hossain Khan and Managing Director Mir Masud Kabir. They discussed marketing strategies and the future prospects of EVs in Bangladesh. The chairman noted that while local technology is used, some raw materials still need to be imported, and duty benefits on these imports could further reduce production costs.

Managing Director Mir Masud Kabir stated that the vehicles are manufactured to European standards, creating potential for future exports. The manufacturers provided details on vehicle performance: an SUV can travel over 450 kilometers on a single charge, taking five to six hours for a full charge or about 30 minutes via fast charging. The truck and covered van offer around 200 kilometers per charge, with full charging taking about six hours normally or 40 minutes through fast charging.

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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.