Eco-friendly ‘Bagh’ to run with ‘electricity’

After a long 42 months, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) on Sunday (March 20) approved an app-based environment-friendly electric three-wheeler eco-taxi ‘Bagh’. Now the manufacturer will start production on a large scale. This eco-friendly vehicle developed by ‘Bagh Eco Motors Limited’ will be able to move on the roads of the country in a few days.

Kazi Jasimul Islam Bappi, President of the organization, said, “After a long time the dream came true. The government has registered the Bangladeshi brand eco taxi ‘Bagh’.”

He said, “Now there is no restrictions for this vehicle to run on the roads across the country. ‘Bagh’ is the country’s first eco-friendly electric three-wheeler. First it will introduce to the streets of Dhaka. Soon after the successful operation, we will put the electric buses and trucks on roads. The vehicle branded ‘Made in Bangladesh’ will run across the country very soon as well as on the roads of different countries of the world including India.”

With the approval of the ‘Bagh’, passengers will be able to travel safely with comparatively low cost. The reason is mentioned by entrepreneur was ‘The power consumption of this vehicle will be less. Whereas earlier the cost per unit was Tk 17, ‘Bagh’ will consume Tk 7 for per unit. It will cost 40-45 paisa per kilometer. Once charged, it will run 120 kilometers. Another 25 to 30 kilometers will run through solar power. The battery will have a five-year warranty. Also the service warranty will be available for two years. This soundless vehicle will be under insurance by the first party. All in all, we can say there is no maintenance cost.

According to BRTA approval certificate, the country’s road transport regulatory agency approved the vehicle for registration of Eco-Taxi E5-C model electric three wheeler, after reviewing the recommendations made by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), emissions test report, documents and recommendations of BRTA’s Standing Technical Committee meeting held on February 24.

Some experimental vehicles have already been manufactured at Gazipur factory. Jasimul Islam Bappi believes that it is possible to earn foreign currency by exporting the vehicle with the patronage of the government. 

He said that talks were underway with several countries, including India, on its export. Cambodia, Sudan, South Africa and Ethiopia have also shown interest in the vehicle.

He further told risingbd that the Hotapara factory in Gazipur has the capacity to produce 3,000 ‘Baghs’ a day.

The eco-friendly ‘Bagh’ will be the world’s first app-based vehicle company. Because, the ride sharing apps including Uber and Pathao do not have their own vehicles. 

The entrepreneur also said that they are aiming to provide to 20 lakh people of the country in the initial stage.

The app-based vehicle can carry a total of seven people including the driver. There will be WiFi, GPS, television and 360-degree camera facilities for the passengers. Passengers can use any mobile banking app including ATM card to pay the fare. The larger wheels than other vehicles will also reduce the chances of accidents.

Besides, each vehicle will also have a solar charging system and a battery charging system. As a result, the vehicle does not have to stop to charge the battery. On a single charge it will run up to 120 kilometers. The battery that will be used in the vehicle is a high quality lithium ion battery. This battery and charger will have a microchip in which an app will be preloaded.

The quality steel of the vehicle’s infrastructure makes it more durable than others. ‘Bagh’ will be made from the steel used for all the other big vehicles in the country. As a result, the way the CNG-auto-rickshaw is turtled due to accident, it is unlikely to occur in case of ‘Bagh’, said the entrepreneur.