Tata EV a key player in the Nepali market

Yash Khandelwal, head of international business, TATA Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, talks about TATA’s strategies for boosting sales in Nepal.

Yash Khandelwal, head of international business, TATA Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, recently visited Kathmandu to launch the new Tata EV brand. Electric vehicle (EV) imports in Nepal have surpassed those of traditional gas-powered vehicles, marking a milestone in the country’s transition to cleaner transport. In the first half of the current fiscal year, ended mid-January, Nepal imported 12,974 four-wheelers—including passenger buses, microbuses, and private vehicles. Of these, 7,349 units were EVs, putting Nepal on track to replacing petroleum-based light vehicle imports with EVs by 2031, aligning with the nation’s sustainability commitments. EVs are environmentally friendly, with zero tailpipe emissions, thus helping to reduce air pollution. Beyond environmental considerations, Nepal has experienced an intense competition between China and India in their push to dominate the EV market. In an email interview with the Post, Khandelwal shared TATA’s strategies for boosting sales in Nepal. Excerpts: