Energy Minister for promotion of EVs

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Pampha Bhusal emphasis the use of electricity generated in the country for electric vehicles to run. This will reduce the consumption of imported fuel to make the national economy strong.

Minister Bhushal was flagging off an electric vehicle rally organised by Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC)on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the centre. She said that Nepal is spending around Rs. 2 billion annually for importing of petroleum products including diesel and petrol and Rs. 40 billion for importing of LPG (cooking gas).

She mentioned need for increasing the consumption of electricity for industry, transportation, and household purposes, which would avoid wastage of electricity and also contribute to the national economy. The government has given high priority to the promotion of electric vehicles, she added. She also stressed that the use of electric vehicles should be increased to reduce the impact of climate change and create employment opportunities in the country.

On the occasion, Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority KulmanGhising said that charging stations are being installed at various places to encourage the use of electric vehicles to increase electricity consumption.Ghising added that currently 400 to 500 MW of electricity is wastedfor the lack of usage.

Executive Director of the AEPC, Dr MadhusudanAdhikari said that the Centre has been emphasizing environmental protection and promotion of clean energy.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary at the Ministry, SagarRai pointed out the need foruse of electric vehicles by the government, private sector and the general public as electric vehicles are environmentally-friendly, convenient for passengers, and increase electricity consumption.  The rally was started at Jawalakhel in Lalitpur and passed through various locations such as New Baneshwar and Old Baneshwarbefore concluding at BhrikutiMandap in Kathmandu. The rally was participated in by about 250 people on electric bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, cars, SUVs, micro-buses and three-wheelers. BYD, KIA Nero, MG, Hyundai Kona. Tesla, Tata Nexon, Nissan Leaf, TheeGo, City Sports, Derry were among the EVs involved in the rally.