Development of hydropower and promotion of electric vehicles are complementary to each other

The entire world is experiencing deepening climate issues and all are putting efforts to take possible measures to minimise the climate change effects. Emphasizing on promotion and development of clean energy and reduce use of fossil fuels, many climate actions are being conducted in Nepal as well.

In line with the same thought, and on the occasion of the 28th establishment day of the Society of Electric Engineers Nepal (SEEN), a symposium on ‘Prospects of Electric Vehicles in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities’ was organised on Tuesday April o4, 2023 in Kathmandu.

The event was inaugurated by Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Basnet. Addressing the gathering he said that the world is fighting to reduce climate change effects. Environmental balance and human health has been a big issue as well. Thus, electric vehicles widely deployed to control air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. He added that electricity generating in Nepal is increasing and it needs to consume the growing electricity generation, as such electric vehicle is one of the better solutions.

Promotion of electric vehicle is a priority of the Government of Nepal, but government alone can do all needed, he mentioned. As such, private sector and other concerned institutions need to join the motion. Moreover, to achieve the sustainable development goals, green energy should be developed and utilise extensively. In this context, promotion of electric transportation is a viable option, Minister Basnet stressed. 

Secretary at Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Dinesh Kumar Ghimire said that the government has highly prioritised to transform electric vehicles, electric cooking and water heating systems in the urban areas. More efforts are focused on use of electric vehicles and increase electricity uses to incorporate in the budget and policies. The Government institutions are taking all these as per set timeline, he added. 

Ghimire also added that the electric vehicles users still have some confusion on durability of batteries used in the electric vehicles, long distance travel, charging facilities repair and maintenance and some other matters. Therefore appropriate information and service systems should be easily available.

Secretary at Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Keshav Kumar Sharma said that MoPIT has been developing implementation modalities for promotion of electric vehicles and also for conversion of fossil fuel vehicles to electric vehicles.

SEEN President Dilli Ratna Shakya said that electricity generated in the country should be consumed extensively by developing electric vehicles. It will support positive reform the national economy. The efforts to reduce consumption of fossil fuels have not yet been reached to a satisfactory level. Now time has come to consider on stopping import of fossil fuel vehicles, he opined. 

Presenting on Prospects of Electric Vehicles in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities, Executive Director of Thee Go Energy Pvt. Ltd. Rajan Rayamajhi said that there a number of challenges in the electric vehicle business in Nepal. The Government has to consider on relevant aspects such as taxes on importing electric vehicles costs low but importing parts and batteries is expensive. Likewise, rules for importing electric vehicles for public transportation is not entrepreneur friendly. Therefore, a through revision is a must at the time when electricity is to be used in electric vehicles.

Rayamajhi informed that electric vehicles can reach any place where fossil fuel vehicles go, providing availability charging facility should be taken into consideration.

Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Kul Man Ghising said that electricity used for electric vehicles at cost of 25 billion rupees can completely rule out consumption of fossil fuels in Nepal. If all fossil fuel vehicles converted to electric drive, the country would be able to save fossil fuels costing 400 billion rupees per year, he added. 

Ghising also mentioned that NEA has been supporting the studies on hydrogen fuel production and utilisation in Nepal. NEA may consider installing hydrogen fuel station in future too, he mentioned.

During the technical session of the event, Prof Dr Bim Shrestha, Dr Subodh Kumar Ghimire, Er Sagar Gyawali, Sahil Shrestha and Vikas Gaba presented on electric vehicle related aspects in context to Nepal.

The programme was participated in by academic personalities, energy professionals, electric vehicle experts, SEEN members and media representatives.