Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday test-drove locally manufactured electric vehicles (EVs) and praised the initiative, assuring government support for the country’s emerging EV sector.
In the morning, the prime minister visited an electric vehicle exhibition at his Tejgaon office, where Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited showcased its products, according to Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.
During the visit, the prime minister personally drove a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and a covered van produced by the company.
Company representatives informed the prime minister that Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited is the country’s first electric vehicle manufacturer.
They said the vehicles are fully battery-powered, environmentally friendly, require no fuel, and offer comparatively lower electricity costs.
They also stated that efforts have been made to keep prices affordable for general consumers.
The prime minister assured the manufacturers that the government would extend support if quality and safety standards are maintained and if the initiative benefits the national economy.
A total of two SUVs, one covered van, one truck, one autorickshaw and two motorcycles were displayed on the premises of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The prime minister arrived at the office around 10:05am, inspected the vehicles, and later entered his office after the demonstration.
He first drove an SUV while being briefed on its technical features, followed by a test drive of a covered van.
He later held a meeting with Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited Chairman A Mannan Hossain Khan and Managing Director Mir Masud Kabir to discuss marketing strategies and the future prospects of the EV sector in Bangladesh.
Following the meeting, Chairman A Mannan Hossain Khan said that although the vehicles are locally manufactured, some raw materials still need to be imported.
He added that production costs could be reduced further if duty benefits are provided on imported inputs.
Managing Director Mir Masud Kabir said the vehicles have been built to European standards, which he said could open export opportunities in the future.
According to the company, the SUV can travel more than 450 kilometres on a single charge, taking about five to six hours for full charging under normal conditions and around 30 minutes with fast charging.
The truck and covered van can cover around 200 kilometres per charge, requiring approximately six hours for normal charging and about 40 minutes with fast charging.
Among those present were Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser retired Brig Gen AKM Shamsul Islam, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Press Secretary Saleh Shibly, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, and Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan.
