A sustainable Off-Grid electric vehicle charging model using distributed energy resources for remote hill regions in Bangladesh

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in developing countries like Bangladesh is significantly limited due to the lack of accessible and reliable charging infrastructure, especially in remote off-grid regions. This study is motivated by the need to accelerate EV adoption through decentralized, renewable energy-based charging solutions that are independent of the national grid. The objective is to develop and assess a hybrid renewable energy-based off-grid EV charging station for the Chattogram Hill Tracts, a grid-inaccessible, tourism-driven region with challenging topography in southeastern Bangladesh. The proposed system combines solar photovoltaic, wind turbines, battery storage, and a diesel generator for backup. Location-specific meteorological resources, as well as seasonal variations in EV charging demand, are incorporated into the design. The techno-economic optimization is performed using HOMER Pro, and financial resilience is analyzed through a Monte Carlo simulation. Results show that renewable sources provide over 99 % of annual energy generation. The system proves its feasibility by achieving a low levelized cost of energy of $0.053–$0.054/kWh and a net present cost of $92,282. The Monte Carlo analysis indicates a 100 % chance of achieving a positive net present value, with a break-even point at 3.15 years from diversified revenue streams. The system also achieves an 87 % reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to the annual emissions of an equivalent conventional combustion vehicle. Thus, the study proposes a scalable and replicable model for sustainable EV charging in off-grid regions. A SWOT analysis further explores the strategic implications for widespread deployment in similar developing contexts.