BARVIDA protests ban on used EV imports

The Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA) staged a nationwide protest yesterday against the government’s decision to ban imports of reconditioned and used electric vehicles (EVs).

Around 1,300 member businesses in Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Sylhet, Chattogram, Cumilla, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur and Dinajpur remained closed as part of the protest, according to a BARVIDA press release.

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Importers also halted customs-related activities, including revenue payment, e-payment and the release of imported vehicles from ports. Vehicle registration activities at the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority involving vehicles sold by BARVIDA members were also suspended.

The protest followed the government’s announcement on August 24 of the Import Policy Order 2026-2029, which prohibits imports of used and reconditioned EVs, the association said.

BARVIDA President Abdul Haque said the ban would limit consumers’ access to EV technology and make newer EVs less affordable for middle- and lower-middle-income households.

He said reconditioned EVs could offer a relatively affordable option while contributing to value addition in the economy.

According to Abdul, expanding the EV market could help increase the share of electric vehicles in the country’s motor vehicle sector to 30 percent by 2030 and contribute to the government’s revenue collection target.

BARVIDA Secretary General Riaz Rahman said the association was not seeking unrestricted imports of EVs.

“We are not against the import of unsafe or low-quality EVs. We want opportunities to import safe, tested and standard-compliant EVs.”

He said Bangladesh’s EV policy should focus on safety, quality control, market competition, consumer protection, environmental considerations and revenue generation.

Riaz cited New Zealand’s system for importing used vehicles from Japan, where inspection and compliance requirements regulate imports.

He said Bangladesh could adopt a similar transparent and technology-neutral framework.

“The issue is not whether a vehicle is new or reconditioned. What matters is whether the vehicle is safe, has a reliable battery and meets the prescribed standards,” Riaz said.

BARVIDA leaders urged the government to withdraw the ban, saying they would otherwise continue with tougher programmes to protect the business and investment interests of reconditioned vehicle traders as well as consumers.