Electric vehicles worth Rs. 18 billion imported

By Our Correspondent

Sindhupalchok, May 12: Electric vehicles worth Rs. 18.93 billion have been imported into Kathmandu via the Tatopani checkpoint from Khasa, China.

According to the Tatopani Customs Office, a total of 7,492 electric vehicles worth Rs. 18.93 were imported over the course of two fiscal years. 

Following the import of these electric vehicles, the government collected revenue amounting to Rs. 10.45 billion, said customs officer Ramesh Bahadur Shah.

By mid-March of the current fiscal year, the imported electric vehicles included: 34 units of 15–25-seater minibuses, 479 units of 11–14-seater microbuses, 350 units of cars, jeeps, and vans above 50 kilowatts, and 934 units of cars, jeeps, and vans of 51–100 kilowatts.

Similarly, a total of 180 units of cars, jeeps, and vans of 101–200 kilowatts, four units of motor vehicles of 201–300 kilowatts, one unit of a car above 300 kilowatts, three vehicles of 2,000 cc, two units of 5-tonne trucks, six three-wheelers, 104 four-wheelers, five delivery vans, and one other electric vehicle were imported during the review period of the current fiscal year, Shah said.

In fiscal year 2024/25, imports included one bus with one electric motor for propulsion, 251 units of 15–20-seater minibuses, 809 units of 11–14-seater microbuses, 888 cars/jeeps/vans of up to 50 kW, 781 small cars/jeeps/vans of 51–100 kW, and 486 units of 101–200 kW vehicles.

Similarly, 12 units of 201–300 kW motor vehicles, one car above 300 kW, 18 double-cab pickup vehicles of 2,000 cc, four units of 20-tonne trucks, and 118 four-wheel electric vehicles were imported in the last fiscal year.

According to the customs office, the import of electric vehicles from China has significantly increased during the current fiscal year, which has also boosted government revenue.