BARVIDA demands reinstatement of used EV imports

The Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA) has demanded the reinstatement of facilities for importing used and reconditioned electric vehicles (EVs) under a regulated and conditional framework, arguing that a blanket ban on such imports is discriminatory and detrimental to consumer interests.

The demand was raised at a human chain organised by the association to protest the complete ban on used and reconditioned electric vehicle imports introduced in the new import policy published on August 24, 2026.

BARVIDA said the ban would deprive consumers of access to affordable, modern vehicle technology and undermine the potential for expanding the electric vehicle market in Bangladesh.

The association called for permission to import used EVs based on international standards, vehicle age, technical capability, safety and environmental considerations, rather than imposing an outright prohibition.

According to BARVIDA, countries including the United Kingdom, Georgia, New Zealand, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan allow used EV imports under varying age limits and regulatory conditions. The association said exports of electric vehicles from Japan, China, South Korea, Germany and other European countries are also increasing.

New electric vehicles remain beyond the purchasing capacity of many middle- and lower-middle-income consumers, it said, adding that reconditioned EVs could make modern, energy-efficient vehicles more accessible to ordinary buyers and professionals.

BARVIDA believes the expansion of the EV market through regulated imports could help Bangladesh achieve the government's target of having electric vehicles account for 30 percent of the motor vehicle sector by 2030.

BARVIDA's proposals

The association placed eight proposals for establishing a regulated import framework:

1. Allow the import of used and reconditioned EVs initially up to five years old.
2. Consider setting a minimum battery State of Health (SOH) of 70 percent. It also called for mandatory certification by the competent authority regarding battery lifespan for locally assembled, locally manufactured and imported new electric vehicles to protect consumers.
3. Make pre-import inspection and certification by approved agencies mandatory.
4. Prohibit the import of EVs damaged by floods, fire, serious accidents or structural defects.
5. Formulate a battery recycling and safe disposal framework.
6. Continue customs and other incentives to encourage genuine investment in charging stations, servicing, battery diagnostics and recycling.
7. Review and rationalise the price-based duty and tax structure for electric vehicles introduced in the current budget through consultations with relevant sectors.
8. Evaluate the policy after a specified period and reconsider the age limit and other conditions based on the results.

BARVIDA said Bangladesh needs an EV policy that simultaneously addresses environmental protection, energy conservation, foreign exchange savings, consumer purchasing power, investment, employment, charging infrastructure and the development of a future electric vehicle industry.

The association's president said its appeal had already been submitted to the relevant ministries and the highest levels of government. He expressed hope that the democratic government would withdraw the ban in the public interest.

Otherwise, he warned, the association would be compelled to launch stronger programmes to protect the livelihoods and investments of reconditioned vehicle traders and safeguard the interests of the wider consumer community.

BARVIDA Secretary General Riaz Rahman, former presidents Abdul Mannan Chowdhury Khasru and Md Habib Ullah Don, former secretary generals Mahbubul Haque Chowdhury Babar, Mohammad Habibur Rahman and Mohammad Shahidul Islam, along with current and former leaders, general council members and other businessmen involved in the sector, attended the human chain.