Promoting climate-friendly mobility in Bangladesh

Context

In Bangladesh, rapid population growth and urbanisation have led to a huge increase in personal travel. Vehicles – especially those with outdated technology – generate substantial amounts of pollutants like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. The Bangladeshi Government has therefore set ambitious goals for reducing carbon emissions. However, the country does not yet have a specific strategy for implementing future-proof, inclusive electromobility. At the same time, the tendering process for infrastructure projects is slow, and projects are inadequately monitored.

Cities need support in developing and implementing climate-friendly approaches to mobility and electromobility. According to the International Energy Agency, electric vehicles are advantageous for the environment and climate even when most of the electricity is sourced from fossil fuels. Electric vehicles convert energy efficiently into movement, do not emit pollutants and support the energy transition.

Objective

Policy-makers, the private sector and educational institutions in Bangladesh promote climate-friendly electromobility more intensively.

Approach

The project operates in three areas:

It improves the conditions for creating the legal and administrative framework for climate-friendly and inclusive e-mobility.

It trains experts and managers in administrations, educational institutions and companies on future-proof mobility.

It supports pilot measures for initiating the use of electric vehicles in selected cities in Bangladesh and documenting this.

The project takes the specific mobility requirements of women and disadvantaged groups into account in its activities.

Last update: February 2025