Govt eyes cleaner commute with electric buses

The government has launched an ambitious drive to introduce more than 1,400 electric buses over the next few years, marking Bangladesh's largest investment in environmentally friendly public transport as it seeks to curb air pollution, modernise urban mobility and accelerate the country's transition to cleaner transport.

Officials said the first shipment of electric buses is expected to arrive in December, with Dhaka set to become the country's first operating zone before services are gradually expanded to other cities.

The programme is being implemented through a series of projects undertaken by the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) and the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA). While several projects are awaiting final approval and administrative clearances, officials said preparatory work is progressing steadily.

According to officials at the Road Transport and Highways Division, the first phase involves procuring 200 electric buses. The fleet will comprise 100 standard 45-seat buses and 100 women-friendly electric minibuses with seating capacities of 28 to 32 passengers.

Initially, the Road Transport and Highways Division sought government grants of Tk 400 crore for each project to procure the buses, establish charging stations and develop supporting infrastructure. However, the Finance Division approved Tk 800 crore in loan assistance instead of grants.

BRTC Chairman Abdul Latif Molla said the corporation has already initiated the procurement process for the first 200 buses under the approved financing arrangement.

A committee is now working on route selection, charging station locations and operational planning before the services are launched.
"Initially, the buses will operate in Dhaka. The operational framework, charging facilities and othertechnical arrangements are now being finalised," he toldThe Daily Observer.

Alongside the BRTC initiative, the government is advancing the Bangladesh Clean Air Project (BCAP), under which another 400 electric buses will be procured. The DTCA is revising the Development Project Proposal (DPP) before submitting it for final approval.

To improve transport services for women, BRTC is also pursuing a separate project to introduce 100 electric minibuses and has sought financial allocation from the Ministry of Finance.

Several additional projects are in the pipeline.

Under financing from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), authorities plan to procure 300 air-conditioned electric buses and establish 25 charging stations. Preliminary work on the proposal is underway at the Planning Commission.

Another proposal, backed by Chinese financing, includes 500 air-conditioned electric buses and another 25 charging stations. During a Planning Commission meeting on June 11, officials instructed the implementing agency to revise the project's cost estimates before resubmission.

Separately, BRTC has proposed a pilot project, funded by the government, to procure 12 additional electric buses along with supporting charging infrastructure.

If all the projects are implemented, Bangladesh will have a fleet of 1,412 electric buses operating under various government programmes.

Road Transport and Highways Secretary Dr Mohammad Ziaul Haque said the buses would be imported in phases after project approvals are completed. He expressed optimism that the first batch would arrive by December, with services beginning in Dhaka before expanding elsewhere.

The government's electrification strategy also aims to encourage private-sector participation. Discussions have already been held with the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners' Association, the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Bank, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and other stakeholders on policy support and financing mechanisms.

Saiful Islam, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owners' Association, said the long-term success of the initiative would depend on ensuring equal opportunities for private operators.

"The government should provide easy financing, policy support and incentives so that private operators can invest alongside BRTC from the beginning. Sustainable passenger services cannot rely solely on one state operator," he said.

The government has set a target of converting at least 30 per cent of the country's road transport fleet to electric vehicles as part of its broader climate and clean-air strategy. Officials said incentives, including reduced import duties on electric vehicles, are under consideration to accelerate the transition.

Manufacturers from China, India, South Korea and Hong Kong have already presented their technologies and proposals to the Road Transport and Highways Division. Authorities are evaluating battery performance, technical specifications, after-sales service and pricing before finalising procurement. Officials estimate that each electric bus will cost between Tk 2 crore and Tk 2.5 crore, depending on battery capacity and technical features.

Transport experts, however, cautioned that procuring new buses alone would not resolve Bangladesh's public transport challenges.

Professor Shamsul Hoque of the Department of Civil Engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) said route rationalisation and stronger operational management should remain the government's top priorities.

"Without route rationalisation and proper operational management, introducing hundreds of electric buses may create additional congestion rather than improve the transport system," he said.

He added that the government must simultaneously invest in charging infrastructure, maintenance facilities, workshops and skilled manpower to ensure the buses remain fully operational.

Experts believe the electric bus programme could significantly reduce carbon emissions, improve urban air quality and modernise Bangladesh's public transport system if it is implemented alongside comprehensive transport reforms.