The recently budget tabled for FY 2078/79, has introduced regulations regarding the import of EVs in Nepal. The government has decided to revise the duties.

This opens up exciting opportunities specially for those who want to buy EVs in  Nepal.

In same context REVIEWS exclusively talked with Deepak Thapaliya, Deputy General Manager, Laxmi InterContinental Pvt. Ltd. authorised distributors of Hyundai Motors in Nepal.

What are your thoughts on the government's plan to replace lightweight fuel-supported vehicles with EVs by BS 2088?

If we think globally its not only our government but almost all developed and developing country has initiated their footstep to replace IC engine which is considered to be running on limited available resources of fuel cell with long term Sustainable Electrical Vehicle .

So personally ,I feel this is a positive step which our government has initiated to replace lightweight fuel powered vehicle whatsoever beforehand there are lots of pre-work needed to be taken care of which are related with infrastructure ,policy and skill manpower to handle this.

Just announcement with a big tagline might sounds soothing for our ears but managing it too on a real ground level require more of time, effort and capital.    

How do you think this policy will impact the adoption rate of EVs?
 
I can feel the excitement level in general public .People today are much aware about the latest technology and vehicle availability as world has become one single market and the flow of information is more than faster what we can imagine about .Other good thing about Nepali people are they are very much flexible and open to try new changes specially related with technology be it be cell phone ,gadgets or a vehicle .

In addition our EV movement was initiated around 2.5 year back and was already taken a reasonable pace before last year budget where suddenly tax was slabbed and there was a break but I can feel the same flow and momentum will carry out again .Plus now there are many additional choice to the customer where they can have some additional product range on their basket list so I feel positive adoption rate of EV which might make upto 7-10% volume of annual vehicle sales (light weight vehicle). 

Many Customers still consider EVs as the 2nd option while purchasing a vehicle. What are your thoughts on this?

To some extent its true .Since vehicle is considered as a necessity mobility solution now rather than a luxury product.People need fast and reliable solution for their mobility as their mobility is related with time and time is money for now. It’s a fact that there is a limitation in technology and EV still considered to have some limitation in term of range coverage ,charging duration and few more .

Though new technology are coming up to mitigating these challenges and providing more solution but still it lags behind in term of some competitive advantage compared with Fuel powered vehicle which has been in existence since long time .These challenges has caused a thought that EV despite being more sophisticated and advance in term of technology but could fall behind in some practical aspect and this factor has caused it under second choice while buying a vehicle specially for the first time buyer.

However I feel this thought is going to change with the phase of time as automotive company coming up with more advance level vehicle and at the same time GOV investment on the infrastructure like charging station, road and easy availability to use those.  

What are your plans in expanding the charging station network within the valley and outside the valley?

Being representative of Hyundai what I would like to say that we already have more than 27 AC charging network throughout Nepal where all our EV customer can use is FOC. Charging Network has always been our priority so we started developing this network since 2018 strategically locating different places in Nepal like different highway point, Hotels, Shopping Malls and our dealership location all over East-West Highway.

This is ongoing process and further more shall be added to different location in the year to come. Apart from this we are also looking for Vehicle to Vehicle Charging facility for our customer and also feasibility of DC charging network.

What else do you think that the government should do to promote EVs in Nepal?

Rather than saying promote by Government, I would like to put it in this way Gov need to work on broader policy level be it be infrastructure, manpower development or Battery management policy.

Subsidizing EV at this level compared to fuel powered vehicle is more than what government done on promotion part, now it’s time to make this change a sustainable one so that transformation into EV from fuel powered vehicle should be considered as a rational decision of the consumer.

Also Read:

NEPAL BUDGET FY 2078/79: ALLOCATION FOR TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION, FINTECH SECTOR

POCO LAUNCHES THE POCO M3 IN NEPAL: SPECS, PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

IPHONE SE 3 LAUNCH: SPECS, FEATURES, DESIGN

MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (MDMS) TO GO LIVE FROM SHRAWAN 1

SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S8 SERIES LEAKS ONLINE: BIG PRICES FOR BIG FEATURES

 

Finance Minister, Bishnu Poudel unveiled the budget for fiscal year 2078/79 of total Rs 16,47,57,00,000 yesterday. Following are the highlights from the budget related to auto and transport sector of Nepal:  

• All the vehicles registered within the country will be provided with an embossed number that includes radio frequency identification, GPS service to be regulated to cargo and other vehicles.

• E-ticketing services to be introduced to public transportation.

• Minimum of 100 electric buses to operate in Kathmandu through Sajha Yatayat 

• The local administration in major cities will be provided extra aids in order to operate big sized electric bus for public

• To increase and promote the usage of electric vehicles, 500 charging stations, terminal buildings and other necessary infrastructures to be built all across the country. 

• Excise duty tax on import of electric vehicles has been cancelled, previously 30% excise duty was applicable for EVs with a capacity of 50 KW, and 40% for 51 to 100 KW, 50% for 101 to 150 KW and 60 to 80% for 151 KW and above 

• Custom duty for EVs have also been deducted to a maximum of 40% which was 60% in the last year’s budget.

• Excise duty for imports of tires has also been reduced from 20% to 10%.

• For the preservation of the environment, the government has planned to replace lightweight fuel supported vehicles with EVs by BS 2088.

• 40% excise duty to be charged for both hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, previously hybrid cars needed to pay 60%.

• The government is planning to bring 10 international EV manufacturing companies to Nepal

• Production of auxiliary materials for vehicles to be done within the country, the land necessary for such production companies to be leased by the government for free.

Also Read:

BUDGET 2021/22: EXCISE DUTIES ON EVS REMOVED

SOCIAL MEDIA TO NOW LET USERS HIDE ‘LIKE’ COUNTS

CELLPAY INTRODUCES NEW WALLET | MERO WALLET WITH NEW UI, CELLPAY KART AND EXCITING OFFER

XIAOMI TAKES STUDIO-GRADE CAMERA FEATURES AND PRO PERFORMANCE A NOTCH HIGHER WITH MI 11

DOCTORLIVE24, AN INNOVATIVE TELEMEDICINE APP | REAL TIME VIDEO CONSULTATION FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS