After authorities instructed companies not to sell EVs by pre-order system, some companies are found to be changing into booking system, according to a man who went to buy electric vehicle.

“The men from the company said that we have to pay Ks.5 million as booking charges. When we said, pre-order system hasn’t been allowed; they said it is for booking charges,” said a man went to a company to buy an EV.

Even if the booking charges were paid, the price of EV was not mentioned, and the company said it will announce the price only when the EV will arrive and it will take nearly two months, according to a man who went to an EV company and inquire about the sale of EV.

A committee on the development of importation, installation and investment of electric vehicles and associated businesses instructed companies selling electric vehicles (EVs) not to sell the EVs at a profit of more than 20 percent and not to make pre-order sale.

Some companies are found to be making pre-order sales at showrooms and through social networks.

The committee held coordination meetings with EV importing companies in April and June and has already notified them that they are not to make more than 20 per cent profit on CIF price, not to advertise and sell online and not to make pre-order sales without vehicles arriving at the port.

If the companies violated those policies, they will get their export and import licence revoked and face legal actions under the Consumer Protection Law, the committee warned.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has announced that if people are not satisfied with the purchase and use of EVs and chargers, they can file a complaint.