An Electrical Engineer who bought a Plug-In Hybrid car in Bangladesh. Prius PHV - 2014

 In this ever-changing technically advanced world it is an enormously difficult task for an average person from Bangladesh who wants to contribute to the sustainable energy transition for the future. To contribute to the sustainability of the world people need to be informed about what they should do but the individuals who want to spread this have to face a lot of hurdles. Being judged, feeling worthless, mocked and being abused are the most prominent of them.

First of all one need to understand why is it like that in Bangladesh. It is an independent country in the Southeast Asia region that gained its independence in 1971. During these past 50 years, the energy sector development was not that impactful though the last decade was totally different. When we gained almost 100% electrification all over the country. Still, in terms of clean energy, it is lagging behind its neighbours like India, Myanmar. Moreover, there is less focus on clean energy generation, sustainable transport, environmental pollution and air quality management. As a consequence mass are not aware of conserving the environment. Which is the main key factor for the country to not have any policy regarding electric vehicles. 

In Bangladesh, most car owners are not aware of how much CO2 they are emitting through their tailpipe. They don't even bother about it, as there is a huge disparity between rich and poor which make poor people not able to own a personal vehicle and rich are less worried about saving money and the environment. 

Moreover, the total car market of Bangladesh is dominated by reconditioned vehicles imported from Japan only. And it is being taxed enormously up to 300% of the value, which restricts the middle-class affordability of buying a recondition car. This gets worse when you consider buying a fully electric car like Nissan Leaf which is available to buy but there is no policy to register those in this country.

Most of the car owners in Bangladesh has a wrong perception about the longevity of a hybrid car due to its battery. Fuel efficiency means a poor peoples domain to most of them. Individuals do not consider the ultimate benefit of a hybrid car which is saving the environment and saving money.   

In between all these factors owning an electric car is a myth. So I need to decide between good and bad and found a middle ground, which is owning a Plug-In Hybrid car that has an engine like a regular car and battery like an electric car. I can enjoy both the benefits of electric and hybrid when needed.       

But the journey toward owning it was not smooth, I had to spend a handful of money and needed to answer a ton of questions regarding it. Additionally, most people compared it to "TomTom" locally available battery-electric three-wheeler used for mass transport. Nobody actually understood my urge to save the environment and stop wasting unnecessary money in the name of comfort and luxary.  

The car, it is much better in look and comfort than the traditional choice of Bangladeshi car owners Toyota Allion and Premio. Both the cars are good in terms of style and comfort but when it comes to doing something for the world they lag way behind my car. In my personal humble opinion, we should count on saving the environment more rather than choosing a status symbol.