March 6: Despite the increase in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in Nepal, its use is in question due to the lack of charging stations. Experts say that regular EV users are also using petroleum vehicles to travel outside the main cities.

Dhubra Thapa, president of NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal, says that users are now making electric vehicles their second choice due to the lack of charging stations.

“The number of EV users is high only in the main cities. Even now, most of the people consider the vehicle that runs on petroleum as their first choice. If charging stations can be increased, EVs can be made their first choice vehicle,” he said.

According to the data of the Department of Transport Management, 8,552 electric vehicles were imported from mid-July to mid-February of the current fiscal year. With this, the number of electric vehicles in Nepal has reached 29,200.

Looking at the data, it seems that the attraction towards electric vehicles among Nepali consumers is increasing. Considering the abundant potential of electricity production, the situation where the hydroelectricity produced is wasted due to lack of market and the necessity of making the environment pollution-free, there is no alternative than to widely increase the use of EVs.

According to Thapa, “Increasing the use of EVs will bring two benefits to Nepal. Firstly, by increasing the consumption of produced electricity, the money spent abroad on the import of petroleum products is saved. Secondly, the pollution caused by vehicles running on petroleum products is reduced.”

Most of the countries in the world are encouraging the use of electric vehicles to reduce pollution. Automobile manufacturing companies are also introducing new brands and models of electric vehicles in the market. At a time when the interest in EVs is increasing worldwide, stakeholders say that the government should develop the necessary infrastructure and create an environment for this sector to flourish.

Businessmen complain that the government is working at a snail's pace even though they have already made necessary arrangements for charging stations and trained manpower.

Nirmal Khatri, senior product manager of Sipradi Trading, says that EV operation is challenging.

Khatri pointed out the need to increase the subsidy given to EVs by the government. Even though the government has given sufficient customs concessions to EVs compared to other vehicles, businessmen in this sector say that concessions should be further increased. They argue that the government will benefit from electric vehicles in the long run. Businessmen suggest that the government should maintain concessions and customs exemptions for at least 10 years for the rapid development of the EV sector.