BARVIDA announces nationwide showroom closure over reconditioned EV import ban

The Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA) has announced a series of programmes, including a nationwide showroom shutdown, protesting the ban on imports of used and reconditioned electric vehicles (EVs).

Under the programmes, all showrooms of BARVIDA members across the country will remain closed throughout Thursday, the association said in a press release on Wednesday.

The association will also suspend the registration of all types of motor vehicles sold by its members at the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

Besides, BARVIDA members will suspend payment of duties, e-payments and vehicle clearance from ports for vehicles imported through customs houses, according to the release.

The association also decided to display banners at prominent locations at its members’ business establishments.

BARVIDA said used EV imports had previously been allowed under the import policy, but the new import policy published on 24 August completely banned the import of used and reconditioned electric vehicles.

The association said the ban would deprive consumers of access to newer vehicle technologies at relatively affordable prices.

It argued that new EVs remain beyond the reach of middle- and lower-middle-income consumers, while reconditioned EVs could be made available at comparatively lower prices to professionals and general buyers.

BARVIDA also claimed that rapid expansion of the EV market could help achieve the government’s target of having electric vehicles account for 30% of the motor vehicle sector by 2030 while increasing government revenue.

The association urged the government to withdraw the ban in the public interest.

It warned that if the ban was not withdrawn, reconditioned vehicle sector businesses would be compelled to launch tougher programmes to protect their businesses, investments and the interests of a wider group of consumers.