Bangladesh cuts import duty on electric vehicles, 'fully' exempting schools

The existing duty ranges from 61.80 percent to 93.16 percent on imported electric buses, cars, and trucks

Given the volatility in the global energy market and environmental issues, the government has opted to curtail import duties on electric vehicles and offered a 100 percent waiver for schools.

The decision was taken in the last cabinet meeting, Prime Minister’s Finance and Planning Advisor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir told a discussion in Dhaka on Wednesday.

“If an educational institution imports an electric car or bus, it will not have to pay any duty. However, anyone else importing an electric vehicle will be charged a 20 percent duty,” he said.

Titumir said the duty exemption considered the issue of environmental pollution.

According to the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the current duty on importing electric buses, cars, and trucks is between 61.80 percent and 93.16 percent.

A senior NBR official said the government decided to impose a 20 percent duty only on the import of buses for entities other than educational institutions.

The government will soon issue a notification, he added.