How much suitable is Dhaka city for electric vehicles?

Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh, but it is known to others as one of the most densely populated cities in the world. This city, with more than 21 million people, is continuously facing various obstacles. These include air pollution, traffic congestion, and the lack of reliability in the public transportation system. In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) have been considered an implicit solution to these problems. These vehicles are considered a cleaner and more effective alternative to conventional gasoline-powered vehicles. 

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The usage of electric-powered vehicles in Dhaka is still in its initial phases. The number of electric vehicles on the street is still very low. There are a few privately owned Tesla cars, but until now, electric vehicles have not been included as a category to be registered under the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

Still, Audi Bangladesh has launched its e-tron electric SUV and has become the first Bangladeshi automotive brand to officially unveil a Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV). At the same time, they have taken the official recognition of BRTA in the EV category as the first marketer.

It is an indication of a positive change in the attitude of the regulators towards EVs. However, is Dhaka ready to embrace this type of vehicle?

One of the biggest benefits of EVs is their low emissions. Electric motors in EVs do not produce any carbon emissions, which is an attractive option for a city like Dhaka that suffers from air pollution.

According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution in Dhaka city is the cause of death for 12,000 people every year. As a result, it has become a serious problem for public health. If we move towards EVs, air pollution in Dhaka city will decrease significantly, and the health of its dwellers will improve.

Effectiveness is another positive side of EVs. Electric motors are more effective than internal combustion engines, meaning that EVs can go farther using the same amount of energy. As a result, this type of car is suitable for Dhaka’s congested roads, where most of the time, vehicles move very slowly, and gasoline-powered vehicles at this time burn a lot of fuel.

Moreover, EVs will become fully charged overnight. That means they can start their journey to their destination without stopping at any gas stations in the morning.

However, to become a reliable vehicle for Dhaka dwellers, EVs will have to overcome several obstacles. In that regard, one of the biggest challenges is the lack of infrastructure with charging facilities.

At present, there is no public charging station in Dhaka city, which has made it difficult for EV owners to charge their vehicles. According to the information received in December 2020, there are only 14 EV charging stations with a joint capacity of 278 kW across the country.

Fast charging through direct current commercially is not yet readily available in Bangladesh. A very small number of vehicles that are currently in operation are being charged this way with the residential charging arrangements.

For charging EVs at houses, it is possible to increase the number of high-voltage electrical lines. However, after the launch of the line, the users are paying a high price. Moreover, EV users would have to pay the bill at the rate of commercial establishments, which is much higher than that of residential buildings.

Another impediment is the high price of EVs. At this time, EVs are more expensive than conventional fuel-powered vehicles, putting them out of reach for many people in Dhaka. This is partly because of the high price of batteries, which make up a large part of the cost of EVs. However, as battery technology advances and the economic target is met, the financial cost of EVS is expected to fall.

Despite these drawbacks, in Dhaka city, the authority is taking several steps that will serve as a promotion to increase the use of EVs. For example, in recent times, the Bangladesh government has formulated a new automobile policy that aims to include more eco-friendly vehicles in the transport system. The government has set a target of at least 15% of registered vehicles being electric by 2030.

In the draft of the Automobile Industry Development Policy-2020, it has been said that a tax holiday has been recommended for investments made in the production of energy-efficient vehicles (EEVs).

Walton, one of the country’s marketers, has recently unveiled its e-bike lineup and is likely working on introducing an electric city bus.

Apart from Walton, several other organizations in the country are preparing to introduce locally manufactured two-wheeler EVs to the Bangladeshi market.

Indian automaker Omega Seiki has recently announced an investment of one billion rupees for the convenience of marketing electric vehicles in Bangladesh. Local auto manufacturer BD Auto is planning to manufacture three-wheelers for the domestic and international markets. 

Palanquin: A mode of transport for elite people

A palanquin is one kind of luxurious transport in which generally rich people travel from one place to another. Being a wheelless vehicle, a few people carry a palanquin on their shoulders from one place to another. The person who carries the load of a palanquin is called the bearer. Initially, such vehicles are believed to have been created to carry the gods and goddesses or their idols. Many temples contain sculptures depicting scenes of deities being carried by palanquins. Later, the noblemen and ladies of the European upper class mainly used it to travel until the introduction of railways in the Indian subcontinent. In the modern age, there is no use for the palanquin. However, in the Indian subcontinent, it is used on a limited scale for weddings, pilgrimages, etc. 

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Other names of palanquin:

The palanquin has been known as Lectica in ancient Rome, Jiao in China, Kieu in Vietnam, Sedan chair in England, Litera in Spain, Palanquin in France, Liteira in Portugal, Wo in Thailand, Gama in Korea, Norimono in Japan, Tahtirevan in Turkey, etc.

Construction Style:

In Europe, palanquins were made either open or closed suitable for lying. With the help of two poles attached to the opposite sides of the palanquin, palanquin bearers or draught animals pulled the palanquin. The palanquin is thought to have evolved from the concept of a sledge-driven vehicle. It has been manifested in Egyptian paintings. Later, it was also used in the Persian Empire. These issues have been highlighted in books related to Isha. This vehicle is known as a palanquin in eastern countries.

Originally, palanquins were reserved for people of noble descent and high status, like empresses and wives of senators in ancient Rome, but for common people, the use of this vehicle was prohibited. In the seventeenth century, there was an adequate number of palanquins in Europe; both poles of the palanquin were covered in leather for better protection and to maintain privacy. Later, seriously ill patients and injured people were permitted to use palanquins.

Usage:

In London, a palanquin is called a sedan chair. This type of palanquin is designed to accommodate a person with a chair or a cabin with a window. It was carried by at least two people, in front and behind. The bearer came to be known as a porter chairman. It was much less visible in the 19th century, but it was used for centuries as a dignified form of transport in which confined women were passengers. At night, a link-boy with a flaming torch would guide the way from the front of the palanquin. In the 1970s, John Cunningham, an entrepreneur and a resident of Bathwick, briefly brought back the sedan chair.

In China, sedan chairs have some utility in the traditional style. Generally, these are hired and used in the marriage ceremony. The bride is brought wrapped in red silk. Once, sedan chairs were used in public in Hong Kong. Chairs used for public use had to be registered. Taxes had to be paid as well. The user of a private chair or palanquin was considered a person of high status. Government officials used to determine the number of bearers that might be required for this palanquin.

In South Asia, the word "palanquin" has come from the Sanskrit word "palayanka," which means a traveling bed. Around 250 BC, there is a mention of a palanquin in the Ramayana. Wheel-driven rickshaws came into use in the 1930s. As a result, Palanquin started to lose its importance.

The Java community of Indonesia continues the tradition of riding palanquins. The bearers carrying the generic palanquin (known as “Joli” in Javanese society) on their shoulders would transport the passenger, and any passenger could travel in exchange for money.

The song of the palanquin bearers:

Old palanquin bearers used to sing a song, “Master’s skin color is black; mistress is a jolly person. Heave ho! careful as we go.” While taking the master somewhere, the bearers would sing, “Heave ho! Steady as we go through the narrow road. Our master is a generous fellow and would pay us well.” 

Heiyo (হেঁইও), which means "heave ho" in English, is a call to exertion in heaving.