Decline in import of EVs by a half

KATHMANDU: Import of electric vehicles (EVs) has come down by half in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, thanks to high tax on such vehicles and lack of effective policies in place to promote it.

As per government’s statistics, 2,051 electric vehicles have been imported till mid-February this fiscal year against 4,204 EVs imported during the same period in last fiscal year.

EVs traders say that high tax, lack of effective policy in place from the government and other procedural hurdles are among reasons behind falling import of EVs. ALong with this, traders also complain lack of ample charging stations across cities have been discouraging riders from EVs.

Though the government, especially Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has repeatedly vowed to install charging stations for EVs in Kathmandu Valley and other major cities, these plans are yet to be executed.