Bangladesh Aims for Thirty Per Cent Electric Vehicles by 2030

The government has set a target to transition at least 30 per cent of the country’s road transport sector to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam announced the initiative on Monday, 13 July, during a parliamentary session. The statement came in response to an urgent public interest notice raised by Shawkat Ara Akter, a ruling party member representing a reserved women’s seat.

Several policy measures have been enacted to lower carbon emissions and establish an eco-friendly transport network. The Minister noted that greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, particularly carbon dioxide, remain a primary driver of global warming. Consequently, global shifting is moving away from fossil-fuel-dependent transport toward electric alternatives to mitigate climate risks.

Under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), Bangladesh has committed to unconditionally reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector by 3.4 million tonnes by 2030. To fulfill this international pledge, the government plans to convert nearly a third of all registered road vehicles to electric models. The Road Transport and Highways Division has already formulated registration and operational guidelines for these vehicles. Furthermore, fiscal incentives have been approved to decrease oil dependence. Newly imported electric buses intended for educational institutions will enjoy duty-free status, whilst a reduced 15 per cent import duty will apply to other categories.

Addressing separate infrastructure demands raised during the parliamentary debate, the Minister clarified the complexities surrounding toll collection. He remarked that lawmakers frequently promise toll exemptions for local bridges during election campaigns. However, toll collection is tied directly to national revenue under the jurisdiction of the Finance Division. The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges cannot unilaterally wave tolls, though concessions for smaller bridges might be reviewed following formal discussions with treasury officials.

Responding to requests for additional intercity train stops across various constituencies, the Minister emphasized that train schedules adhere to specific operational guidelines. Halting intercity trains at every station would compromise their high-speed efficiency and defeat the primary purpose of rapid long-distance transit.