Highlights:

• Tk25.35cr EV project launched with Tk23cr UNDP grant.
• Four bus charging stations and three solar-hybrid charging stations planned.
• First EV battery recycling plant to be built in Gazipur.
• Target: 1,200 commercial EV charging stations by 2030.
• Private investment in EVs gains pace after tax incentives.

The government has launched an initiative to establish electric vehicle charging stations and a battery recycling plant by 2030, following tax incentives introduced in the current fiscal year to encourage the production and import of electric vehicles.

The Road Transport and Highways Division is formulating a project titled "Bangladesh Enabling Electric Vehicles Adoption in the Framework of Sustainable Energy-Based Transportation" with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The project aims to develop charging infrastructure for electric buses, motorcycles and three-wheelers, while also building a skilled workforce through training programmes at home and abroad, officials said.

The proposed project, estimated to cost Tk25.35 crore, will receive Tk23 crore in grants from the UNDP. A meeting of the Special Project Evaluation Committee was held on 28 June, and the draft development project proposal is expected to be sent to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council for approval after clearance from the Project Evaluation Committee, according to an official of the Road Transport and Highways Division.

Charging stations planned at BRTC depots

According to the draft project proposal, four electric bus charging stations equipped with superfast charging facilities, each with a capacity of 300-500 kilowatts, will initially be installed at Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation depots. Each station will be capable of charging 20 buses simultaneously.

Potential locations for the bus charging stations include BRTC depots in Jowar Sahara, Mirpur, Gabtoli, Narayanganj and Narsingdi.

The government also plans to establish three solar-hybrid charging stations for electric motorcycles and three-wheelers at Uthali in Manikganj, Ekuria in Keraniganj and the BRTC depot in Chattogram. These facilities will operate using both grid electricity and solar power.

The charging stations for two- and three-wheelers will have a capacity of 80 kilowatts, with solar energy contributing between 25 and 30 kilowatts.

A battery recycling and disposal plant for electric vehicles will be built at a BRTC depot in Gazipur.

Push for electric public transport

The initiative comes as the government intensifies efforts to expand electric mobility across the transport sector.

The BRTC has recently sought Tk400 crore from the government to purchase 100 electric buses and establish 25 charging stations. Separately, 12 air-conditioned electric buses with 50 seats each will be procured with government funding.

The state-owned transport operator is also planning to acquire another 400 electric buses under the proposed "Bangladesh Clean Air Project", for which the World Bank has offered a loan of $300 million, according to the draft proposal.

The finance ministry this month directed that all government sport utility vehicles and cars purchased under the current fiscal year's budget must be electric vehicles.

Limited charging infrastructure

According to the draft proposal, Bangladesh has around 15 lakh electric two- and three-wheelers, as well as thousands of plug-in hybrid vehicles that are primarily charged at homes and garages.

The country currently has only 14 electric vehicle charging points, partially powered by solar energy, with a combined capacity of 242 kilowatts. However, the proposal notes that these facilities are unsuitable for high-load commercial operations.

The Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board has established eight solar charging stations across the country, each capable of generating 30 kilowatts of electricity and charging up to 20 vehicles at a time, as part of its efforts to promote renewable energy in the transport sector.

The government has set a target of establishing 1,200 commercial charging stations by 2030, with the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority tasked with preparing the regulatory framework and implementation guidelines.

According to the authority, 32 commercial charging stations have already received approval, although only nine are currently operational in locations including Dhaka, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Cumilla.

Private sector interest grows

Following the introduction of electric vehicle-friendly policies in the national budget, private companies have also shown increasing interest in manufacturing electric vehicles and developing charging infrastructure.

Companies that have expressed interest in the sector include Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited, Nasir Group, Akij Motors, Runner Automobiles, PRAN-RFL, Walton Group, TMSS, Progress Motors, Sena Hotel (Radisson Blu), Kazi LPG, Good Luck Filling Station and Isha Kha Group.