EV imports slow in Nepal after years of strong growth

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 22: Nepal has recorded a slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) imports during the first seven months of the current fiscal year 2025/26, signalling a possible moderation after few years of strong growth.

According to statistics from the Department of Customs, a total of 5,894 electric four-wheelers—including cars, jeeps and vans—were imported during the review period.

This marks a 6 per cent decline compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year. A total of 6,256 units of four-wheeler electric vehicles were imported during the first seven months of the last fiscal year

The decline has been seen since the beginning of the current fiscal year.

In value terms, the country spent around Rs. 13.84 billion on importing four-wheeler EVs in the first seven months of the current fiscal year 2025/26. The government had spent Rs. 14.74 billion for the import of 6,256 EVs during the first seven months of the last fiscal year. Similarly, two unassembled four-wheeler electric vehicles imported during the review period.  Imports of three-wheeler electric vehicles have also declined. The country imported 5,069 three-wheeler electric vehicles worth Rs. 517.81 million in the first seven months of the current fiscal year.

A total of 6,346 units of three-wheeler electric vehicles imported during the first seven months of last fiscal year 2024/25.

During the review period, a total of 6,159 units of unassembled three-wheeler electric vehicles worth Rs. 634 million have been imported. Overall, the government collected Rs. 8.86 billion in customs revenue from the import of four-wheeler and three-wheeler electric vehicles in the first seven months of the current fiscal year.

The capacity of most imported electric vehicles ranges between 51 kW to 100 kW. A total of 3,402 electric vehicles with the capacity of 51 kW to 100 kW have been imported during the review period.

Similarly, 1,992 electric vehicles with motor power up to 50 kW have been imported. The number of electric vehicles with more than 101 kW to 200 kW motor power is 493 and above 201 kW is seven. Most of the electric vehicles imported into Nepal are Chinese in this review period.

Of the 5,894 four-wheelers, a total of 4,204 electric vehicles have been brought from China in the first seven months of the current fiscal year. This is 71 per cent of total import of electric vehicles.

According to the Department, around 1,263 electric vehicles were imported from India, 401 from Thailand, 12 from United States of America, 10 from Germany, two from South Korea and one each from United Kingdom and Austria.

According to the statistics, the country imported 13,569 electric vehicles (cars, jeeps and vans) worth Rs. 31.75 billion in the last fiscal year 2024/25. In the fiscal year 2023/24, a total of 11,700 EVs worth Rs. 29.5 billion were imported.