PMIL has been the exclusive dealer-distributor for Audi in Bangladesh since 2018. In this short span of time, PMIL have firmly established them as a major player in the luxury car market in Bangladesh, on an equal footing with the likes of Mercedes-Benz and BMW in terms of sales and market presence, even though they started operations in 2002 and 2003 respectively.
Earlier this year, PMIL launched the fully electric Audi E-Tron, which marked firsts for Bangladesh in a number of areas. They were:
- The first to sell 100% Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) in Bangladesh
- The first to have a car registered under the newly established EV category with the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA)
- The first to fully support after-sales for BEV’s with battery repair, storage and charging facilities
- The first to establish public EV charging points
Electric is very much at the forefront goals for PMIL. PMIL aim to capitalize on their position as the first EV provider in Bangladesh and leverage that into being a provider of EV charging solutions throughout the country.
The Audi e-tron is one of the most luxurious EV SUV in the world. As the first electric SUV built with Audi DNA, the e-tron® offers ample interior space for practical everyday driving, efficiency, long-range capability, and quattro® all-wheel drive performance. The electric powered Audi e-tron has a 540 Nm torque that gives instant power to the vehicle. The adaptive air suspension ensures the utmost comfort, and stability in any road condition. The Audi e-tron users are enjoying the vehicle a lot. They can charge the vehicle at home hassle-free, at minimal cost. There is hardly any maintenance cost and no usage of high-cost fuel which is always an added bonus. All in all, it has a very low running cost and while delivering premium drive experience . A luxury SUV with such features has no alternative in the market.
Fazle Samad, Chief Operating Officer of Audi Bangladesh, has recently shared his opinion over the Electric Vehicles issue, in a Press Xpress discussion.
Audi Bangladesh has recently launched the country’s first ever Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) in Audi e-tron. Why Audi decided to be the pioneer brand in EV market in Bangladesh?
The demand for new unique experiences and better quality of life has never been higher in Bangladesh than it is now. Infrastructure expansion, industrial diversification, and changing consumer preferences are all signs of the nation’s rapid development. With the global car market trending towards EV’s, and in anticipation of further government support to encourage EV’s in Bangladesh, PMIL is also redirecting its strategy towards electrification. We believe this is the future. For a smart Bangladesh, we as a nation must make progressive, smart decisions in order to leave our future generation with a sustainable future.
Chief Operating Officer, Audi Bangladesh
Tell us a little bit about Audi e-tron. Does it have any specific features tailored for Bangladesh’s unique market?
Paired with high-quality materials and fine workmanship, the Audi e-tron makes electric mobility a premium experience. Its sporty, dynamic and practical for everyday driving. The Audi e-tron has a range of 300 Kilometers on a single charge, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7 seconds and is equipped with two electric motors that produce up to 230 kW combined with the electric all-wheel drive to deliver optimum performance on any terrain. The Audi e-tron is such a versatile SUV that can be driven at any weather condition and roads. The standard features on the Audi e-tron include Matrix LED Headlights, Adaptive Air Suspension, Virtual Cockpit Plus, 20’ Audi Alloy Wheels, Privacy Glass, Panoramic Glass Sunroof, 4 Zone climate change Control A/C, Leather seats, 3600 Surround View Camera and many more.
PMIL has expanded its after sales capabilities to provide facilities for full BEV support through our fully functional state of the art service center and fast charging hub with Audi certified Service Advisors and High Voltage Master Technicians in Tejgaon. We also have the very first fast charging station, Audi Charging Hub in Tejgaon with 60 KW DC charging which can charge an EV from 0% to 80% in 45 mins. The Audi e-tron will have 8 years battery warranty and 2 years manufacturer warranty with the option of 5 years extended warranty.
What are the major challenges you see for EV to overcome in Bangladesh market? Is it fiscally responsible in current austere situation the whole economy is going through?
In today’s world, almost all developed country has a nationwide charging infrastructure. Bangladesh is also moving towards smart Bangladesh, so we believe we will soon have a nationwide charging infrastructure. In the coming months, our goal is to set-up fast charging stations in various location like Dhaka Chittagong- Cox’s Bazar highways, Sylhet highways, Faridpur- Magura Highways, and Khulna- Mongla highways, in public places respectively. With fast chargers in place, your EVs can be charged from 0 to 80% in 45minutes while you enjoy a coffee or meal. This initial setup will help every EV user to travel longer distances hassle-free.
From an economic perspective, it makes more sense than ever before to switch to EV’s. The cost of running petroleum/gas-based cars is directly correlated to ever-increasing global oil and gas prices. Electricity however, can be generated from a variety of sources, e.g., wind, solar, nuclear, hydro etc. thus reducing our overall dependency on hydrocarbons and its price fluctuations. This keeps the cost of electricity low which in turn benefits EV drivers. In addition, if less hydrocarbons are used in motor vehicles, more of it can be used for generating electricity.
The automobile industry is rapidly transitioning towards electronic vehicles in many developed countries. How do you see EV’s role in future of the industry, and the environmental impacts?
Audi has a clear vision for the future. As a brand, we are taking all the necessary steps to reduce CO₂ emissions. Our aim is to achieve net CO₂ neutrality by 2050. This has resulted in reimagining the technology that powers our vehicles, as well as how we build and deliver them. The Audi e-tron is produced in Brussels, Belgium. The Belgium plant has had carbon-neutral production since 2018 and is a pioneer for Audi’s strategic environmental program, Mission: Zero. By 2025, production at all Audi locations is to become carbon-neutral.
Recently there has been numerous reports on various news platforms like The daily Star, Dhaka Tribune and more regarding the air quality and pollution of Dhaka city. Dhaka city has ranked top on the most polluted city list for consecutive days on many occasions. Now more so than ever, it’s time for us to adapt to making sustainable choices for a better future. With the launch of the Audi e-tron, we are doing our part towards a more progressive, sustainable smart Bangladesh. We are reducing our environmental footprint and moving towards clean Bangladesh for the future generations.
