Bangladesh is set to commercialise its first locally manufactured electric vehicles this July, with Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited (BAIL) preparing to launch a line-up of cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles.

Ahead of the launch, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman recently test-drove locally manufactured electric vehicles and assured government support for the sector during a visit to an exhibition organised by BAIL.

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. Following the exhibition, the prime minister held a meeting with BAIL Chairman A Mannan Hossain Khan and Managing Director Mir Masud Kabir to discuss electric mobility and automobile manufacturing in Bangladesh.

Speaking to a local daily after the meeting, Mannan said the vehicles had been developed using local technology, although some raw materials still need to be imported. He added that production costs could be reduced further if the government provides duty benefits on imported raw materials used in EV manufacturing.

Kabir stated that the vehicles had been manufactured in line with European standards and could create opportunities for exports in the future.

Charging capacity and performance

According to the company, its electric SUV can travel more than 450 km 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 approximately 30 minutes.

The company's electric truck and covered van can travel around 200 km on a single charge. Their batteries require approximately six hours for a full recharge and about 40 minutes through fast charging. The manufacturer stated that the vehicles are fully battery-powered, require no fuel oil and have lower operating costs than conventional vehicles.

Company officials stated that efforts had been made to keep prices affordable in order to support EV adoption in Bangladesh. The prime minister said the government would support the initiative if the company maintains quality and safety standards while contributing to the country's industrial sector.

Investment and product features

The company has invested around BDT 15 billion (US$ 122.21 million) to establish its EV manufacturing plant at the Mirsharai Economic Zone in Chattogram. It stated that it is the first automobile manufacturer in Bangladesh capable of developing and manufacturing EV platforms and vehicle bodies locally.

"Customer support and reliability remain the company's top priorities," said Kabir. "Efforts are being made to offer customers quality products at affordable prices while preparing to expand the country's EV ecosystem."

The company stated that all vehicles will be offered 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.