Bangladesh Plans Nationwide EV Charging Network and First Battery Recycling Facility by 2030

Bangladesh is preparing to expand its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure with plans to build a nationwide charging network and establish the country’s first EV battery recycling facility by 2030. The initiative is designed to support the transition to cleaner transportation, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and strengthen battery waste management as EV adoption accelerates.

The project, titled “Bangladesh Enabling Electric Vehicles Adoption in the Framework of Sustainable Energy-Based Transportation,” is being developed by the Road Transport and Highways Division with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The proposed project has a budget of Tk25.35 crore (approximately US$2.1 million), including Tk23 crore in grant funding from UNDP, and is awaiting approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.

The programme includes the construction of four high-capacity charging stations for electric buses at Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) depots. Each station will feature 300-500 kilowatt fast chargers capable of charging up to 20 electric buses simultaneously. Proposed locations include BRTC depots in Jowar Sahara, Mirpur, Gabtoli, Narayanganj and Narsingdi.

The government also plans to install three solar-hybrid charging stations for electric motorcycles and three-wheelers in Manikganj, Keraniganj and Chattogram. Each facility will have an 80-kilowatt charging capacity, including 25-30 kilowatts generated from on-site solar power, combining renewable energy with grid electricity.

A central element of the initiative is the development of Bangladesh’s first EV battery recycling and disposal plant at a BRTC depot in Gazipur. The facility is intended to recover valuable materials from spent batteries, improve battery waste management and reduce environmental risks associated with the growing number of electric vehicles entering service.

The project supports Bangladesh’s broader strategy to expand electric mobility and improve urban air quality. The government recently introduced tax incentives to encourage EV manufacturing and imports, while seeking to attract investment in vehicle production, charging infrastructure and related services.

State-owned BRTC has separately requested Tk400 crore in government funding to purchase 100 electric buses and construct 25 charging stations. The operator is also planning to procure an additional 400 electric buses under the proposed Bangladesh Clean Air Project, which has been offered US$300 million in financing from the World Bank.

Bangladesh has set a target of establishing 1,200 commercial EV charging stations by 2030. The Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) has been tasked with developing the regulatory framework and implementation guidelines for the national charging network.

Despite rapid growth in electric mobility, charging infrastructure remains limited. Bangladesh is estimated to have around 1.5 million electric two- and three-wheelers, along with thousands of plug-in hybrid vehicles, yet only 14 public charging points are currently in operation with a combined capacity of 242 kilowatts. The Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board has also deployed eight solar-powered charging stations to support renewable energy-based transport.

Growing adoption of electric three-wheelers and locally manufactured EVs has increased demand for charging infrastructure, battery recycling and safety standards. Industry observers say integrating charging networks, renewable energy and battery recycling could help establish a more complete domestic electric mobility ecosystem while supporting circular economy objectives.

Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, said the transition should extend beyond vehicle electrification to ensure wider social and environmental benefits.

“A just mobility transition is not only about cleaner vehicles; it is about ensuring that transport systems are affordable, accessible, safe and inclusive, while ensuring that workers, young people and climate-vulnerable communities are not left behind.”

He added that Bangladesh’s EV strategy should be closely linked with renewable energy development, sustainable battery management and greater participation by local communities and young people in shaping future transport systems.

Source: The Climate Watch

SUNSHINE Spotlight: Bangladesh’s latest EV initiative combines charging infrastructure, battery recycling and renewable energy to build a more integrated electric mobility ecosystem while supporting long-term circular economy development.