The Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (Barvida) has reacted to the ban on importing reconditioned electric vehicles (EVs) in the latest import policy, alleging a quarter has misguided the government despite an agreement reached with them before.
Demanding a withdrawal of the ban at a press conference at Dhaka Club on Wednesday, Barvida leaders said the Import Policy Order 2026-2029 published on August 24 banned the import of reconditioned or used EVs, though it was allowed in the previous policy.
"All of a sudden, the ban has been imposed on us," Barvida president Abdul Haque told the press conference.
Barvida secretary general Reaz Rahman, former presidents, and secretary generals, including Abdul Mannan Khasru, Mahmudul Haq Babul, Shahidul Islam, and Saiful Islam Samrat, spoke on the occasion, among others.
Haque said it was agreed at the discussion level to allow seven-year-old reconditioned EVs, even though Barvida showed all grounds and information for a 10-year limit due to higher standards and quality Japanese EVs than other manufacturing countries.
He said though Barvida members played a visible role in creating the market of automobiles during all technological shifts from VVT-1 to hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology, they had been deprived again like facing discrimination several times in some previous policies.
This ban would also deprive buyers of getting affordable and quality vehicles, as well as impact the economy, Haque further said.
During the press conference, Barvida said the UK allows importing up to 10-year-old EVs, while compliant countries like New Zealand import on some conditions.
Some 29,349 units of reconditioned EVs were exported to 71 countries in 2025 with proper inspection, battery health certification, and safety standards, with Sri Lanka topping the list.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka imported 4,512 units of reconditioned vehicles from Japan last year, with New Zealand importing 3,743.
Bangladesh ranked 24th with 92 units.
Terming the Japanese used EVs greener, high-quality, reliable, and affordable, the BARVIDA president demanded reinstating the provision for importing reconditioned EVs by setting international standards, control, and condition and considering safety, environment-friendliness, certain age, and technical capacity.
As the automobile industry grows centring imports, using and servicing of vehicles, spare parts, technical expertise, assembly and continuation of production, and reconditioned EVs bridge the gap in industrial expansion, Barvida leaders said.
Former Barvida president Khasru blamed brand new EV importers for misguiding policymakers to ban the import of reconditioned EVs, though Japan has already proved itself as a trusted country for high-quality, reliable, and affordable EVs.
They said the battery capacity of Japanese reconditioned vehicles remains at 70% to 80% after use of nearly 200,000 kilometres over 10 to 15 years.