EVs becoming a common sight on Dhaka roads

Electric vehicles (EVs), once seen as a novelty for the rich, are gradually becoming a familiar sight on Dhaka streets.

Well-known global carmakers, including Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and China's BYD, have brought premium and mid-range electric models to Bangladesh, signalling a shift in the country's car market.

Buyers who once dismissed battery-powered cars as expensive or impractical are now turning to them as cheaper, cleaner and less troublesome alternatives to petrol and diesel vehicles.

Yet, industry insiders say political uncertainty and lack of adequate charging points are major obstacles to wider use.

"Over 500 EVs have been registered since EV registration began in September 2022 under BRTA's guidelines, enabling official registration for the first time in Bangladesh," said Towhid Tusher, director (engineering) at the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

He said that his team is still compiling the final figures. "Last year, the number was around 70. This time, it will certainly be over 300, possibly even more than 400."

Chowdhury Md Nabil Hasan, head of marketing at Mercedes-Benz Bangladesh, said sales of their EV lineup are gradually improving compared to the initial launch stage last year, as more clients begin to realise the long-term benefits of EV ownership.

The company now offers four electric models in Bangladesh, covering both luxury saloons and sport utility vehicles.

On average, Mercedes-Benz Bangladesh sells around 12 units a month. Hasan believes their sales could be far higher if the political climate were more stable.

China's BYD, one of the world's largest electric carmakers, entered the Bangladeshi market in March 2024 and has seen strong demand for its electric and hybrid vehicles.

"In the beginning, we faced challenges due to political uncertainty and limited models," said Md Rezwan Rahman, client experience specialist at BYD Bangladesh.

The company has sold nearly 300 units so far, with monthly deliveries now crossing 50 units.

At the initial stage, BYD launched the BYD Seal, a premium electric saloon priced at Tk 90 lakh to Tk 1 crore.

The market gained momentum after the company introduced a more affordable model in November 2024, starting at Tk 64.90 lakh.

It now runs 14 charging stations and supplies free home chargers with each car.  "The market is responding positively," Rahman added.

BMW has taken a more cautious approach. Through its local distributor Executive Motors Ltd, it currently offers only one fully electric model.

"Sales have improved slightly, but we are still not at a level where we can call it commercially sustainable," said Ashique Un Nabi, director of operations at Executive Motors Limited.

"Compared to other German manufacturers, our numbers are quite good. But not good enough," he commented. 

The BMW electric model on sale costs around Tk 3.5 crore.

According to the Executive Motors director, while the company offers multiple versions abroad under its sixth-generation electric platform, bringing them to Bangladesh is not yet feasible.

"There are two core challenges," he said. "First, the lack of government incentives. Unlike many other countries, we do not receive any fiscal support for importing EVs. And second, infrastructure. Charging stations are scarce, so we are having to install home chargers for each customer, at our own expense."

Globally, BMW is investing heavily in electric technology. It has unveiled its new "Neue Klasse" platform and plans to release about 30 variants under this line by late 2025.

Despite the country's ambition of a zero-carbon future, Ashique Un Nabi believes policies still lag behind the rhetoric. "It feels more like lip service," he said. "If there were real support, we could bring in more models and scale up adoption."

Asked about the prospects for EVs in Bangladesh, he said, "We are ready. BMW has the models, the technology, and the expertise. But we need the ecosystem to support it."

Meanwhile, Tesla cars are also appearing on Dhaka's streets, albeit in very small numbers.

"Nearly 20 Tesla electric vehicles have been imported into Bangladesh by our company and other importers," said Rashed Zaman, a sales executive at Car House Imports.

Over the past two and a half years, he said, they have delivered 12 Tesla EVs to customers. However, Tesla currently has no official distributor or dealership in the country.