Barbida Demands Lifting Ban on Reconditioned EV Imports in Dhaka

On September 12, 2026, the Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association, commonly known as Barbida, organized a human chain and press conference in front of the Anand Cinema Hall in Naya Paltan, Dhaka. The demonstration and subsequent briefing were held to demand immediate opportunities for importing reconditioned electric vehicles into the country, addressing recent regulatory exclusions that have caused significant concern among sector stakeholders.

During the event, speakers highlighted the impact of the newly published import policy from August 24, which completely banned the importation of used and reconditioned electric vehicles. Abdul Haque noted that this restriction limits the opportunities for general and middle-income people to use modern and environmentally friendly cars at relatively lower prices. He further emphasized that because new electric vehicles remain beyond the financial reach of many, the introduction of affordable reconditioned alternatives would help reduce transportation costs for ordinary citizens while expanding the overall adoption of electric vehicles nationwide.

Barbida President Habibulah Don addressed the discriminatory nature of the current framework, pointing out that while the importation of new electric vehicles has been left open, reconditioned options have been completely barred. He stressed that the organization seeks the opening of import opportunities for both new and reconditioned electric vehicles, allowing buyers the freedom to choose based on their preferences. Furthermore, Habibulah Don appealed directly to the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, and the Commerce Minister, urging them to lift the ban on reconditioned electric vehicle imports to enable businesses to contribute further to the government's trillion-dollar economy target and generate increased government revenue.

Echoing these sentiments, Abdul Mannan Chowdhury Khosru stated that the association is not opposing government policies as a whole, but rather seeking a realistic, balanced, and future-oriented policy framework for the industry. He remarked that while a strict prohibition can halt the momentum of a market, a proper and supportive policy can successfully build and nurture an entire industry. The event saw active participation from several prominent figures, including Riazur Rahman, Shahidul Islam, Habibur Rahman, and Saiful Islam alongside other association leaders.

As part of their formal proposals presented during the conference, Barbida outlined specific technical parameters for the sector. The association recommended that the government initially permit the importation of electric vehicles that are up to five years old. Additionally, they proposed setting the minimum State of Health (SOH) threshold for the vehicle batteries at seventy percent, aligning industry practices with feasible operational standards.