Dhaka, Bangladesh (October 26, 2023) - The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) is introducing a separate tariff structure for battery swapping stations to encourage investment in the sector, according to BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed. This move comes in response to a request from a local startup and aims to support the operations of these stations, which enable electric vehicle (EV) owners to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones.
Over 1,000 battery swapping stations have already been established in Bangladesh, thanks to investments from an international company. This initiative is seen as a positive step towards managing used batteries and mitigating their environmental impact. The existing tariff structure currently covers EV charging stations.
The announcement was made during a policy dialogue titled "Green Transitions for a Prosperous Bangladesh: Renewable Energy and Urban Sustainability Solutions." The event was organized by Policy Exchange and supported by the International Growth Centre (IGC).
The new tariff structure is expected to incentivize further investment in battery swapping infrastructure, potentially accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in Bangladesh.