Bangladesh is seeing a surge in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, primarily due to reduced operational expenses and growing environmental concerns. Still, obstacles such as inadequate charging networks, steep initial investments, and insufficient after-sales support continue to restrict broader acceptance.
Government data indicates EV sales began accelerating in 2025, even though official registrations commenced in September 2022. BYD Bangladesh, a leading force in the nation’s new-energy vehicle sector, has delivered over 1,400 vehicles—including fully electric and plug-in hybrid models—through its seven authorized dealerships.
Charging Infrastructure Development
The company reported selling approximately 500 new-energy vehicles in 2025, averaging 42 units per month. Monthly sales nearly quadrupled to roughly 160 units in 2026, according to Amid Sakif Khan, BYD Bangladesh’s managing director.
Khan explained that EV buyers now extend beyond early adopters to include households, businesses, and corporate clients, all motivated by lower maintenance expenses and sustainability goals. Yet, urban residents often encounter building restrictions for home chargers and difficulties securing sufficient electrical capacity, while long-distance travelers require dependable roadside charging options.
The country’s charging infrastructure is expanding, with about 30 public stations capable of servicing BYD models now operational nationwide. CrackPlatoon Charging Solutions manages 32 public chargers, 241 private installations, and 335 residential units, primarily concentrated in Dhaka and Chattogram.
In 2026, the company logged 1,972 charging sessions, consuming 33.73 megawatt-hours, up from 461 sessions and 11.88 megawatt-hours in 2025. Daily usage rose to three sessions for direct-current chargers and 0.57 for alternating-current units, compared to 0.8 and 0.23, respectively, the prior year.
Financial and Operational Hurdles
Despite growth, charger utilization remains minimal. A 120kW DC unit in Cumilla operated at just 1.203% capacity in 2026, up from 0.300% the year before. Engr Abu Mosaeb Khan, CrackPlatoon’s operations chief, noted that constructing a standard 120kW public charger costs around Tk70 lakh, with profitability typically requiring five to seven years, or less if usage reaches 30%-50%. Approximately 70% of costs cover substations, grid connections, and wiring, discouraging rapid expansion before demand strengthens.
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Ekhon Charge’s Tejgaon facility handled three to four vehicles daily in 2026, up from four to five weekly in 2025, per Safi Ar Rahman, the company’s EV activation executive. Most users drive plug-in hybrids, including the BYD Sealion 6, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, Omoda C9, and luxury models like BMW and Mercedes.
Rahman highlighted that the government’s 0% import tax on EV chargers could lower equipment prices. Ekhon Charge plans to expand to Panchagarh, Khulna, and Sylhet.
Mohammad Saiful Islam Tushar, marketing lead at DHS Autos, observed that customer inquiries have shifted from charging basics to concerns about operating costs, warranties, and service reliability. He emphasized that “Consumer confidence remains the biggest barrier, alongside vehicle prices, financing, taxation, charging access, battery life, and resale prospects.”
Tushar added that technicians require specialized training in high-voltage systems, battery management, and software diagnostics to support EV owners effectively. The company is enhancing its training programs and spare-parts inventory to meet this demand.
Battery Recycling and Local Production
As Bangladesh’s EV fleet ages, battery longevity and disposal will become critical issues. Sakif Khan stated BYD offers an eight-year battery warranty and estimates a 12–14-year lifespan, but the country lacks a structured system for recycling end-of-life EV batteries. Developing such a framework would require collaboration among manufacturers, dealers, recyclers, and regulatory bodies.
BYD is exploring plans for a local assembly plant, though no timeline has been set.
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