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Bangladesh is set to introduce electric buses on Dhaka’s roads, with the first vehicles expected to begin passenger services within the next three months if preparations remain on schedule.
The government plans to deploy 200 electric buses in the first phase, including 50 reserved for women. Road Transport Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam said infrastructure development, staff training and other preparations would begin soon.
To avoid delays associated with conventional procurement, the government plans to use a direct procurement method to bring the buses into service quickly. The minister said that, if everything goes according to plan, passengers could see or ride the electric buses within three months.
At the same time, facilities including servicing and charging stations will be developed, while personnel will receive training to operate and maintain the new vehicles.
The initiative comes as Dhaka’s public transport system continues to face widespread complaints over disorder, poor service and ageing buses. The government hopes electric buses will help modernise the sector.
The minister said bus owners’ and workers’ organisations were not expected to oppose the plan. He urged existing operators to shift to electric buses and said multiple owners would not be allowed to operate buses independently on the same route. Instead, they would have to form companies and operate under a more organised system.
He also said buses more than 20 years old would no longer be granted fitness certificates.
However, transport experts have questioned whether it is realistic to establish depots, charging stations and train drivers and technicians within just three months.
BUET transport expert Dr Hadiuzzaman stressed the need for a comprehensive master plan, saying the government must prepare the entire ecosystem—not simply purchase buses—before introducing the new technology.
He warned that without adequate preparation, Bangladesh could buy and operate electric buses but still struggle to make the system sustainable.
Experts say the initiative will deliver lasting benefits only if Dhaka’s existing fragmented and poorly managed bus network is brought under a more disciplined and integrated system.
