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Published : 30 Oct 2025, 02:24 AM
Navigating Dhaka from Banasree to Sadarghat, Shamim Ahmed struggled for over an hour to find a ride via a ride-sharing app. Phone calls, repeated requests, and long waits yielded nothing, as no driver was willing to make the trip even after offering Tk 700.
Eventually, prioritising safety over cost, he boarded a battery-powered e-bike, paying just Tk 300 -- less than half the app fare.
“From Gulistan to Sadarghat, this stretch feels like a permanent traffic jam,” Shamim told bdnews24.com.
“Drivers of fuel-powered vehicles know they cannot make it in under an hour, so no one wants to go. Even when they agree, fares can be double. E-bikes, however, are eager to go -- and cheaper too.”
The low cost, easy availability, and freedom of movement have made e-bikes increasingly popular in cities and towns alike. Yet complaints are rising: overcrowded roads, inexperienced drivers, and high-speed accidents are becoming commonplace.
Electric vehicles now include four-wheelers, two- and three-wheeled cycles, and delivery bikes, many imported from China. Aside from e-bikes and rickshaws, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is registering these vehicles.
The draft Electric Vehicle Industrial Development Policy 2025 mandates that e-bikes meet BRTA standards and pass testing before registration.
No exact count of e-bikes exists in Bangladesh. Last February, former state minister for power Nasrul Hamid told parliament that around 4 million e-bikes were on the roads nationwide.
Electric vehicles ease daily life while reducing reliance on fossil-fuel motorcycles, reconditioned cars, and CNG autorickshaws. They also help curb noise and air pollution. However, concerns remain about battery disposal and whether expired batteries could cause new environmental damage.
Department of Environment Director Ziaul Haque told bdnews24.com, “From a pollution perspective, this is positive. There’s no black smoke, air pollution will decrease, and noise is lower. But if numbers grow unchecked, traffic jams will emerge, which in turn will increase pollution. Fuel-based vehicles release smoke when stationary.”
About batteries, he added: “If expired batteries are not properly managed, they could cause new pollution. Some recycling facilities exist, but more are needed.
“Environmentally compliant recycling must be ensured. The government’s electric vehicle policy has incorporated our recommendations on battery management.”
FOSSIL-FUEL VEHICLES ON THE DECLINE?
BRTA data show a slight decline in new vehicle registrations over the past two years, possibly due to unregistered electric vehicles.
BRTA Chairman Abu Momtaz Saad Uddin Ahmed told bdnews24.com, “So far, 515 electric cars have been registered in Bangladesh.”
Several more are in the registration pipeline, he added.
Three-wheeled domestic vans now often install batteries and motors for short-distance cargo transport. Similar changes are seen in school vans and delivery vehicles.
Chinese EV brand BYD officially entered the Bangladeshi market last year. The company reports selling vehicles ranging from Tk 5 million to over Tk 10 million.
Marketing officer Rezwan Rahman said, “About 300 vehicles were sold in the first year. Many have completed registration; some are still being processed.”
BRTA figures show new motorcycle registrations over 10 months this year slightly declined from previous years: 311,000 in 2020, 375,000 in 2021, 500,000 in 2022, down to 310,000 in 2023, and projected 262,000 next year.
CNG autorickshaw numbers are sharply decreasing, supplanted by battery-powered e-bikes. Registrations fell from 16,724 in 2020 to 9,000 in 2021, 7,000 in 2022, and just 1,600 in the first 10 months of this year. Delivery van registrations are also declining: 1,170 in 2020, 527 last year, and only 499 this year.
BRTA notes that electric vehicles reduce carbon emissions, contributing to Bangladesh’s climate commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). By 2030, the transport sector aims to cut 34 million tonnes of CO2, with at least 30 percent of vehicles converted to electric.
MOST ‘MADE IN CHINA’
Most new battery-powered vehicles across Bangladesh are imported from China. While some e-bike chassis are imported, roughly 40 percent of components, including bodywork for three-wheelers, are manufactured locally -- brands include Al Madina and Dyna.
In Dhaka, BYD cars share the market with locally branded e-bikes from Akij, Runner, Revo, Ezigo, and Gijajo. Motors, capacitors, and wheel shavers are imported from China; the remaining parts are assembled in local workshops.
Nabir Uddin, a store manager near Mugda Stadium Market, told bdnews24.com: “E-bike bodies are built in local workshops. But the rear wheel shaver, motor, and other components come from China. A Tk 105,000 e-bike contains at least Tk 50,000 worth of Chinese parts.”
Gijajo Bangladesh markets Chinese-made e-bikes and e-rickshaws. A sales executive at Mugda Stadium said: “We’ve imported nine-seater e-bikes from China over the past two years. Priced around Tk 200,000, they are directly manufactured in China and fully fit for use. People buy them for personal, industrial, and family transportation.”
EV STILL A LUXURY PRODUCT?
Md Musa Khan, sales manager of Cherry Bangladesh, distributor of China’s Cherry brand, believes electric vehicles remain a luxury item in the country.
“The company’s CEO, MD and DMD typically buy these cars as a second or third option. Most already have two or three vehicles. People still rely heavily on hybrid or plug-in hybrid cars. But gradually, as commercial charging stations expand, the EV market will grow,” Musa said.
“For now, these electric cars are aimed at the upper-middle class, because purchasing an EV costs at least Tk 50 million. In future, it will become accessible to middle-class buyers, and prices will likely fall further.”
Charging stations for EVs are now operational in Dhaka, Comilla, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Cox’s Bazar and other districts. Some residents have even installed home charging points. Depending on battery capacity, these vehicles can reach full charge in 30 minutes to one hour at such stations.
Musa added, “A conventional car has 30,000–35,000 moving parts, whereas an electric vehicle has only around 300, making it far less prone to issues.
“Petrol vehicles often suffer from adulterated fuel, reducing their lifespan, but EVs are unaffected by fuel quality. Electric cars abroad come with an 8-year warranty, and the same applies here in Bangladesh.”
Alongside China’s Cherry and BYD brands, European luxury EVs such as Rolls-Royce Spectra, Mercedes-Benz G580, and Audi models are now seen on Dhaka’s streets. Most of these cars use advanced, high-capacity Chinese batteries, such as BYD and CATL, which are globally marketed. Mercedes and CATL also rely on these batteries.
Musa said, “China is the global hub of electrification, producing batteries used in multiple brands and models worldwide. I believe the EV market in Bangladesh is bright.
“Battery technology is advancing steadily, and waterproof, puncture-proof vehicles are now entering the market, which will attract buyers.”
HOW MUCH FUEL CAN BE SAVED?
BYD’s Seal model, according to Rezwan, can travel up to 570km on a single charge, requiring 82.5kWh of electricity. Depending on the model, full charging may need 18 to 60 units of electricity.
“At current electricity rates of Tk 25 per unit, an EV costs roughly Tk 2.50 per kilometre, compared to Tk 15 per kilometre for conventional petrol cars,” Rezwan said.
He emphasised that when factoring in fuel, regular maintenance, and system losses, EVs remain highly cost-effective.
He added, “Electric cars operate with 90–95 percent mechanical efficiency, compared to 30–40 per cent for petrol engines. Energy loss is minimal, and costs are lower.
“In Dhaka’s traffic jams, petrol vehicles waste significant fuel while idling, whereas electric cars incur no extra cost when stationary.”
Rezwan also noted, “Amid Bangladesh’s current fuel crisis, the future of EVs looks extremely promising. Every BYD car is waterproof, allowing it to operate in flooded conditions, making EVs highly suitable for this region.
“Some registration issues remain, as EVs lack a conventional CC rating, but fees can be assessed based on motor capacity rather than engine displacement.”
E-BIKES GAINING POPULARITY
Urban residents are increasingly turning to e-bikes to save time and avoid traffic congestion. Women, alongside men, are now regular e-bike users. Battery-powered bicycles, as well as some tricycles and four-wheeled cycles, are also appearing on city streets.
Over the past year, new distributors of Chinese e-bike brands have emerged in different parts of Dhaka. Akij and Runner have been present in the market for over two years, distributing Chinese e-bikes under their own or partner brand names.
Wahid Murad, chief communication officer of Runner Bangladesh, said: “For the past three years, Runner Automobiles has been marketing Yadea scooters in Bangladesh. Popularity and customer demand are rising quickly, particularly among urban youth and female users.
“Electric scooters are mostly used by city-centric customers. Awareness in rural areas is not fully developed yet, but EV adoption is expected to spread nationwide soon.”
He added, “Battery- and motor-dependent bikes are highly economical. Each scooter’s battery and motor can provide high-quality service for five to six years. Average electricity cost per kilometre is around 14 paisa, far cheaper than petrol bikes.”
Mohammed Farid Uddin, manager (GTM) at Revo Bangladesh, said: “Since launching in September 2024, Revo e-bike sales have gradually increased. A petrol motorcycle may cost around Tk 40,000 in fuel annually, whereas an e-bike requires only Tk 4,000 for electricity.
“EVs are therefore 9 to 12 times more cost-efficient. With careful maintenance, a bike can operate for seven to 10 years.”
ABUNDANCE OF VEHICLES
In Khilgaon, e-bike driver Razzab Ali said, “Driving an e-bike is convenient, but now there are so many vehicles that income has decreased. Business is slow. It can take one and a half hours to make Tk 150. There are simply too many rickshaws, and even standing for long periods doesn’t guarantee rides.”
Kazi Shakil, 40, from Natore, used to work in a garment factory. In 2011, he left his job to operate a CNG-powered autorickshaw he purchased. Last year, he rented out his CNG auto and started driving a battery-powered autorickshaw in Dhaka.
Shakil told bdnews24.com, “Compared to CNG vehicles, e-rickshaws are better in every way. But traffic congestion has increased. Wealthy investors are buying autos, and most drivers are untrained. People drive however they can, leading to more accidents.”
The government has taken steps to approve e-bikes designed by BUET’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. To do so, the Local Government (City Corporation) Act 2009 will be amended.
Mohammad Ejaz, administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), however, said these vehicles will not be allowed on main roads unless operated by trained drivers. The DNCC will regulate the number of rickshaws in each zone.
