Nepal shifts gears as EVs hit 73 percent of 4-wheeler imports

China dominates Nepali EV market as the hydropower-rich country struggles to align energy policies.

In December 2017, Nepal’s National Planning Commission—tasked with framing the country’s policies and programmes—became the first government agency to buy an electric vehicle (EV). There was a celebratory event on its premises when the commission acquired a long-range BYD e6, manufactured by China’s leading EV company, Build Your Dreams (BYD), for Rs6 million.