KATHMANDU: Electric scooters have been available in Nepal for years, but consumer interest remained limited for a long time. Compared to four-wheelers, electric two-wheelers still hold a very small share of the market. While EV cars have captured around 70 percent of the market, electric two-wheelers account for less than 5 percent.
However, sales of electric scooters and motorcycles have surged in the current fiscal year. The sharp rise in petrol prices over the past three months has pushed many consumers towards electric scooters.
According to the Department of Customs, imports of electric two-wheelers more than doubled in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year. Between July 2024 and April 2025, Nepal imported 19,204 units of electric two-wheelers, including mopeds. This is 100.6 percent higher than the same period last fiscal year.
During the same period last year (July 2023 to April 2024), only 9,573 units of electric scooters and motorcycles were imported. The current figure is also the highest ever recorded in Nepal for electric two-wheelers.
Previously, the highest annual import stood at 11,320 units in FY 2024/25. With two months still remaining in the current fiscal year, imports are expected to cross 23,000 units.
Import growth has remained strong in recent years. Nepal imported just 2,265 electric two-wheelers in FY 2020/21. In less than five years, imports have increased by more than eight times.
Nepal imported 7,747 units in FY 2023/24, 7,155 units in FY 2022/23, and 3,610 units in FY 2021/22.
Lower running costs compared to petrol scooters are one of the main reasons behind the growing demand. Many buyers now say the money spent on petrol every month is almost enough to pay an EV scooter installment.
Dealers are also offering attractive financing schemes to attract customers. At the same time, brands have improved charging infrastructure, after-sales service, and spare parts availability. The arrival of longer-range scooters has further increased consumer confidence.
Demand for popular electric scooter brands is currently high. Showrooms are seeing a strong flow of customers, and some established brands reportedly have waiting periods of several weeks.
More than three dozen electric scooter and motorcycle brands are now available in Nepal. Around a dozen brands dominate the market.
Unlike the four-wheeler EV segment, where Chinese brands lead the market, Indian brands are seeing stronger demand in the electric two-wheeler category. Easier access to spare parts, established brand image, better service networks, and longer range are some of the key reasons behind the trend.
Popular electric scooter brands in Nepal include Ather, Bajaj Chetak, TVS iQube, TailG, Yadea, NIU, Segway, Luyuan, Gyaro, and Super Soco.
