Kathmandu, April 28,

Future is electric. The concurrent context as driven by the essence of Science and Technology is an excellent instance to consider a foundation from which we are gradually projecting towards a digital world. Moreover, most of the countries out there have set their term plans to accomplish distinct goals within a time frame to furnish their recognition as a digital nation.  Here in Nepal, our government entities, as well as authorities, has also prolonged their concept considering the technology as a good factor for overall economic, environment and social development.

Electric vehicles had slowly started to take its place amidst the vehicles market back in 2010 when electric motorbikes were introduced, which was combustion free. In the meantime, consumers also believed the importance of such environment-friendly machines, accompanying cost-effectiveness, but the reason for insufficient promotion lead to losing the hype. In the present day, some reputed car manufacturing companies have commenced their project to inject electric cars, which entirely focuses on energy security, environment expediency, price reasonability and effective performance.

Electric cars are often misinterpreted as mediocre, which is deficient when it comes to the matter of performance in the long run. In actuality, the growing perception of optimum utilization of technology fails to prove this statement. The insistence contribution of manufacturers to make them one of a kind with all the possibilities combined is a good example to regard them reliable. At another part of the spectrum, electric cars have been proved to be less problematic than their gasoline-powered counterparts. Recently, the popularity of Electric Vehicles has been intensified after the high-profile officials, and government authorities used the cars. It is also a sign of intimation regarding the merits of bringing an electric vehicle on execution. Not only that, the prolific of using such vehicles is abundant as it helps a lot in the contribution to the country’s economy by reducing the import of non-renewable fossil fuel. Experts claim the replacement of petroleum and diesel engine supported vehicles by electric vehicles will retain more than $2.5 billion, which will lead to reducing the trade deficit significantly.

Additionally, consumers will have a portfolio of benefits through the usage of electric vehicles. First of all, they are not required to load up gas every time or worry about the shortage of petroleum that oftentimes prevails in our country. On the other hand, they don’t need to change the lubricants and undergo any periodical maintenance, unlike other petroleum cars. It’s entirely a one-time investment and let the favour flow throughout the years. Well-equipped with all the features that one gets on a luxury car, it’s no less than a super machine, as claimed by the owners. Cruise automatic control system, electronic parking and an abundant number of airbags are the prominent features that one can’t entertain on a petroleum vehicle at a range 1/3rd of the one which costs more than Rs. 1.5 Crores in the Nepalese market.

Usually, an electric car paves the road of 400 km from a single battery charging which generally takes 2 hours out of a 3-Phase Fast Charger as deployed by the government in different places. It can also be charged from a 2-Phase Home charger which usually takes 8 hours. Just like a cell phone, plug it up when the battery goes down, and buckle it off when it finishes. For each kilometre driven, it consumes one Nepalese rupee. In a lump sum of Rs. 400 /- it puts up 400 km enveloped with all the majestic and deluxe attributes. With the case of petrol injected car, it provides 40 km drive for the same amount, consequently 360 km less than the one on a fundamental basis. Electric car owner’s assertion is, they are paying out the financial installments of the vehicle out of the amount that they used to inject gas in their old petroleum cars before which is ultimately a drastic economic benefit. Having Torque capacity more than 430 N-m which is equivalent to almost 2500 cc as compared to a combustion engine employed a vehicle, it yields a higher ability to enhance the RPM (Revolution Per Minute) and creates an amplified power.

Generally, an unpredictability that most of the consumers wonder when it comes to the matter while owning an electric vehicle is, whether it is suitable for long route or not and if it is okay with the off roads. Regarding the long journey, the Nepal Electricity Authority has also helped to set up charging stations on the ways where it requires to be re-charged after leaving from a specific destination or covering a certain distance by booking their charging slot in advance. And about the off roads, it’s all up to the limit of ground clearance the right car possesses. The performance is claimed to be pleasant and best for adventures as well. The soothing and smooth feeling having the absence of any noises while driving an electric car is also another merit that owners reinforce.

Government has also played a vital role these days to import Electric vehicles by imposing only 10% customs duty and 13% Value Added Tax whilst for the other combustion fixed cars; the 240% import duty remains constant. Road Tax which varies according to the CC of an engine is also not applicable for the electric vehicle which saves flat Rs. 23,500 per annum. With the motive of saving non-renewable fuel and the optimum generation and utilization of clean energy, the government has also introduced electric buses and is in the process of inaugurating more environment-friendly vehicles.

To be precise, electric vehicles are now a necessity, rather than an experiment that every manufacturer consigns to the nation, gets attention and slowly wind up being featured on the news. It would be a crucial move if every consumer, and government focus on execution, and expansion of these environment-friendly vehicles. Valley alone plying more than 800,000 motorbikes, and having private cars four times more compared to the past decade is a serious matter to consider as it a significant source of toxic gases like Carbon Monoxide, Sulphur Dioxide and Ozone. Consequently, government and vehicle management authorities should leave no stone unturned to formulate new regulations and create an expedient and favorable ground for electric vehicles to make them ply over the Nepalese highways by considering the customs, duties, replacing the traditional sources of energy by clean energy, promoting the pros of using an EV and creating more space for them to propagate.