Electric Vehicles (EV) Gaining Momentum in Nepal in 2024

The electric vehicle market has experienced growth worldwide in the past few years with more car manufacturers prioritizing electric powertrains instead of traditional internal combustion engines that rely on fossil fuels. This trend, towards mobility, is also evident in Nepal's emerging market for vehicles (EVs). Although in its stages there is a growing interest in and sales of EVs in Nepal due to concerns about increasing fuel costs and the detrimental effects of vehicle emissions, in urban areas.

2024 is expected to be a pivotal year for electric mobility in Nepal with multiple new EV models launching and government policies aimed at encouraging EV adoption. This article explores the current state of electric cars in Nepal looking at the most popular models available, pricing across variants, government incentives, developing charging infrastructure, and the future outlook for mass adoption of electric vehicles.

Leading Electric Car Models Available in Nepal

While globally there are over 450 models of electric cars available, Nepal's options are currently limited but growing every quarter. Below are some of the most popular electric cars that have been launched in Nepal either via official distributor channel partners or parallel imports.

1. Tata Nexon EV

Part of India-based Tata Motors' push into electric mobility, the Nexon EV compact SUV is among the highest-selling electric cars in Nepal. Key features and pricing:

• 30.2 kWh Lithium-ion battery delivering 312km range on full charge
• 127 hp permanent-magnet AC motor with 245 Nm torque
• Top speed: 120 km/h
• Standard and fast charging options
• Pricing starts from Rs. 38,99,000 (~$29,000) ex-showroom

With its SUV body type ideal for Nepal's roads, the Tata Nexon EV offers an attractive option for customers looking to switch to an electric vehicle without compromising performance or practicality.

Tata Nexon EV Variants

The Tata Nexon EV is available in three variants in Nepal from its sole distributor CG Motocorp:

• XM - Base variant priced at Rs. 38,99,000
• XZ+ - Mid variant with additional features at Rs. 40,99,000
• XZ+ Lux - Top-end variant at Rs. 42,99,000

Features Comparison

Tata Nexon EV Charging

The Nexon EV comes with both AC and DC fast charging capability. The regular onboard AC charger takes about 8 hours for a 0-100% charge.

Tata has set up its fast charging network called the Tata Power EZ Charge stations across India and Nepal. Through the DC fast charging option, the Nexon EV battery can be charged up to 80% within 60 minutes. There are 10+ Tata fast charging stations already installed across key regions of Nepal.

2. MG ZS EV

British automaker MG Motor introduced its first electric car in Nepal in late 2022 - the MG ZS EV. The key details are:

• 44.5 kWh battery delivering 428km on a single charge
• The electric motor outputs 143 PS power and 353 Nm torque
• 0-50km/h in 3.1 seconds due to instant torque
• Top speed of 140 km/h
• Priced at Rs. 81,99,000 (~$60,000) ex-showroom

The MG ZS EV premium electric SUV offers great driving range in the Nepali context making it another appealing option in the market.

MG ZS EV Performance and Charging

The electric motor in the ZS EV generates a maximum power output of 143ps and 353nm of peak torque. The battery pack is 44.5kWh. This setup allows the ZS EV to accelerate from 0-100km/hr in just 8.2 seconds with the instant and consistent torque delivery endemic to EVs.

It comes equipped with both AC and DC fast charging capability. The 7.4 kW onboard AC charger takes about 6-8 hours from 0-100% charge. Through 50 kW DC fast charging, the battery can be rapidly charged up to 80% in just 50 minutes.

3. Hyundai Kona Electric

The Hyundai Kona Electric is the electric version of the standard Kona crossover SUV model. It is imported to Nepal via the official Hyundai distributor - Laxmi Intercontinental Pvt. Ltd. Details include:

• 64 kWh battery pack delivering max 452 km range
• 204 PS power and 395 Nm torque electric motor
• 0-100km/hr: 7.6 seconds
• Top speed of 167 km/hr
• Priced from Rs. 60,96,000 onwards

Hyundai Kona Electric Variants

There are three variants of the Hyundai Kona Electric available in Nepal:

• Kona Electric NS - Starts at Rs. 60,96,000
• Kona Electric GL - Starts at Rs. 61,96,000
• Kona Electric GLS - Starts at Rs. 64,56,000

The main differences between variants are feature levels and battery size.

Hyundai Kona Electric Features

Some of the comfort and convenience features of the Hyundai Kona Electric include:

• Automatic climate control
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Power adjustable driver seat
• Leather upholstery
• Large touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity
• Multi-color heads-up display
• Rearview camera
• Adaptive cruise control
• Multiple airbags and ABS with EBD
• Drive modes - Eco/Eco+/Sport
• Regenerative braking adjustment via paddle shifters

The Kona's electric powertrain combined with a decent range along with premium features make it a compelling option in Nepal's fledgling luxury EV space.

4. MG HS Plug-in Hybrid

The British automaker also introduced its first plug-in hybrid model in Nepal - the MG HS Plug-in hybrid. The petrol-electric powertrain plus EV-only range gives customers an alternative Green choice to pure electric cars. Key details are:

• 1.5 liter turbo petrol engine + 90kW electric motor combined
• Max Power: 258 PS| Max Torque:370 Nm
• Pure electric range: 52 km | Combined range:835 km
• 0-100km hr: 6.9 secs | Top Speed:190 km/h

MG HS Plug-in Features

Equipment and features are similar to the standard HS model:

• Panoramic sunroof
• 10.1 inch HD touchscreen
• Gaana Premium music streaming
• Ambient interior lighting
• Ventilated front seats
• 6-way power adjustable driver seat
• Automatic climate control
• 360 camera
• Leather upholstery
• Multiple airbags and traction control

Priced at Rs. 65,99,000 ex-showroom in Nepal, the HS PHEV allows customers to partially shift to electric mobility while avoiding the range anxiety that pure EVs induce for some buyers.

5. Volkswagen ID.4

German automaker Volkswagen has also entered Nepal's electric mobility space with its first long-range premium electric SUV - the ID.4 in 2022. It carries the following credentials:

• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
• 77 kWh battery delivering 522 km range as per WLTP cycle
• 204 PS power and 310 Nm torque from the rear-mounted electric motor
• 0-100 km/hr: 8.5 seconds | Top speed: 160 km/hr
• 125 kW DC fast charging capability
• Priced at Rs. 92,00,000 onwards

Volkswagen ID.4 EV Driving Assists

In keeping with its premium positioning and pricing, the VW ID.4 comes equipped with state-of-the-art driver assistance tech:

• Lane assist and lane-keeping aid
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Driver alert system
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Park assist plus with memory feature
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Traffic sign recognition

6. BYD E6

China-based electric mobility giant BYD offers its long-range E6 electric crossover SUV in Nepal through local partner Sidley Enterprises Pvt Ltd. The BYD E6 specs and details are:

• 71.7 kWh Blade battery with Cobalt-free LFP chemistry
• Rated range of 522 km per charge as per NEDC cycle
• 95 kW front electric motor putting out 180 PS max power
• Top speed of 130 km/hr, 0-100 km hr in 8 secs
• DC fast charging support: 30% to 80% in 35 minutes
• Priced at Rs. 59,00,000 ex-showroom

BYD focuses on safety and has earned top ratings in C-NCAP crash tests across multiple models including E6. The seven-seater E6 offers abundant range for daily commuting via its in-house developed Blade battery technology which is also catching on in overseas markets.

7. Nissan Leaf

Japanese auto giant Nissan has also started offering its popular Leaf EV hatchback in Nepal vis imports by the newly formed subsidiary Nissan Nepal. Details of the Leaf are:

• 40 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack
• 150 PS electric motor putting 0ut 320 Nm torque
• Rated range of 311 km on a single charge
• Top speed limited to 144 km/hr
• Both Type 2 AC and Chademo DC fast-charging
• Priced at Rs. 64,99,000 ex-showroom

As the world's best-selling EV, the Nissan Leaf brings proven and reliable electric mobility tech to the Nepal market. Its hatchback form factor lends well to maneuvering narrow lanes while serving as primary family transport.

8. BYD Atto 3

BYD launched its globally unveiled Atto 3 electric compact SUV in Nepal in early 2023. The Atto 3 sees a focus on design and the extended range promised. Key specs are:

• 60.48 kWh Blade battery pack
• Max range of 420 km per charge (ARAI certified)
• 200PS permanent magnet motor
• 0 - 100 km/hr in 7.3 secs. Top speed - 160 km/hr
• DC fast charge from 30 - 80% in 35 minutes

BYD is fitting the Atto 3 with some of its latest EV technology including the Battery Management System (BMS) and electric drive systems developed over two decades. Expected to cost between Rs. 65 - 70 lakhs in Nepal when bookings open, the tech-rich Atto 3 adds to the growing EV SUV options locally.

Conclusion - The Road Ahead for EVs in Nepal

While still at a nascent stage, Nepal's electric mobility trajectory mirrors the global EV revolution that is underway. 2023 and the next few years will prove critical as automakers big and small rush more electric models to market across vehicle segments.

As seen above, Nepal now has electric cars covering hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, crossovers, people carriers in the market at various price brackets. Choices span value offerings from Tata Motors to premium EVs from Volkswagen and Hyundai.

Nepal also has representation from the big guns of electric mobility including China's BYD which leads global EV sales charts. Nissan, Kia, MG Motors are also betting on Nepal’s EV growth story.

That said key challenges around awareness, charging infrastructure development, and sticker prices coming down further need to be addressed for mass adoption. The government is promoting EVs via tax breaks and non-financial incentives yet more policy support particularly around renewable energy integration will be vital going ahead.

Electric mobility offers benefits around energy security, lowering vehicular pollution, and total cost of ownership savings that can transform transportation if adoption hits an inflection point. For EVs to drive Nepal’s mobility transformation, concerted and coordinated efforts between the public and private sector stakeholders is crucial.

The outlook is promising and early adopters are showing the way. It is only a matter of when and not if Nepal will embrace electric vehicles in a big way.

While we have attempted to provide accurate pricing for the electric vehicle models detailed, please note that prices are subject to change over time depending on market conditions, government policy revisions and other factors - as such we do not take responsibility for price discrepancies that may arise in different time periods.