News Summary
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- The Nepal Mobility Expo at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, showcased the growing presence and appeal of electric vehicles.
- Among newly imported private vehicles in Nepal, 70 percent are electric, ranking the country second worldwide by market share.
- Although over 2,200 EV charging points have been installed nationwide, the lack of adequate quality road infrastructure remains a significant challenge.
July 11, Kathmandu: The Nepal Mobility Expo currently underway at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu is marked by a strong presence of electric vehicles. For a long time, Nepal’s road infrastructure raised doubts about the future of electric vehicles in the country.
These doubts are now fading, with acceptance of all types of vehicles becoming significantly more positive, stated Gaurav Sarada, Director of the Sarada Group and coordinator of the Nepal Mobility Expo.
“The general public continues to be attracted to newly launched vehicle models worldwide,” he said, “but the current infrastructure in Nepal is not yet ready to support these vehicles.” The government has been increasing investment in infrastructure accordingly.
Moreover, the government collects substantial tax revenues from vehicles, which are reinvested into infrastructure development. According to Sarada, the expo features vehicles with prices ranging from a minimum of 1.8 million NPR to a maximum of 30 million NPR.
More Than 2,200 EV Charging Stations Across the Country
With the rising number of electric vehicles, the establishment and installation of charging centers have also increased. Sarada stated that over 2,200 charging points have now been installed nationwide.
Private sector investment plays a major role in this expansion. Additionally, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has also increased its investments in charging stations. Although NEA has installed only 62 charging stations, the private sector has accelerated this initiative. Automobile companies and hospitality industry enterprises in Nepal are investing in charging infrastructure.
70 Percent of Newly Imported Private Vehicles Are Electric
According to government data, 70 percent of new private vehicle imports in Nepal are electric. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation stated that promoting electric vehicles is a government policy aimed at reducing petroleum imports.
Tax breaks, financial incentives, and easy financing options have driven rapid growth in electric vehicle imports. According to the ministry, Nepal currently ranks second globally in EV market share for new vehicle sales, just behind Norway.
By the end of the fiscal year 2082/83 (mid-July 2025), a total of 63,280 electric vehicles had been registered across the country. The ministry noted that the increased adoption of electric vehicles has reduced fossil fuel imports and expanded the use of domestically generated electric energy, signaling a transformation in the country’s vehicle landscape.
Nonetheless, some skepticism remains in the automobile market. Although numerous charging stations have been installed, they are not yet sufficient. The Ministry has acknowledged this issue while formulating new transport policies. According to the ministry, much remains to be done in terms of charging infrastructure, battery management, safety standards, recycling systems, and policy, institutional, and operational execution.
Waiting for Quality Infrastructure
Nepal still lacks high-quality road infrastructure. Until Falgun 2082 (mid-February 2026), the federal government has only paved 20,456 kilometers of road, focusing mainly on urban and major highways.
The federal government has also constructed 7,602 kilometers of gravel roads and 8,748 kilometers of unpaved roads, totaling 36,806 kilometers under its responsibility. The provinces and local bodies have built approximately 68,100 kilometers of roads, of which only 7.48 percent are paved.
The proportion of gravel roads is 21.06 percent, and unpaved roads constitute around 71.46 percent. According to the ministry, strategic road network density across the country has now reached 25 km per square kilometer. Including local roads, the density is approximately 71 km per 100 square kilometers.
The ministry also reported that 3,652 bridges have been constructed across both strategic and local road networks. Of the 942 bridges planned under national pride and transformative projects, 534 have been completed to date.
