KATHMANDU: As seen in previous years, Nepal witnessed a surge in electric vehicle (EV) imports just ahead of the budget announcement.
According to customs data, a total of 2,746 units of electric cars were imported in May 2026 (between Baisakh 15 and Jestha 15). Of the total, 2,139 units were imported in the first 15 days of June, while 607 units entered the country during the last 15 days of May.
EVs from 26 different brands were imported during the month. However, a single brand dominated the market with over half the total share.
BYD led the imports by a significant margin, bringing in 1,396 units, which accounts for 50.83 percent of total EV imports. Its official distributor, Cimex Inc., imported the vehicles via Rasuwagadhi and Korala checkpoints. The shipment included models such as the Sealion 7, Atto 1, Atto 2, and Atto 3.
Tata ranked second with 286 units imported by Sipradi Trading. The Tata Xpres-T, mainly used for taxi purposes, accounted for 122 units. The remaining 164 units include Tiago EV, Punch EV, and Nexon EV.
Deepal secured the third position with 246 units, imported by MAW Vriddhi. Most of these were the Deepal S05 SUV.
Dongfeng came fourth with 210 units, all of which were Nammi VIGO models imported by MAW Vriddhi.
MG stood fifth, with Paramount Motors importing 134 units. The models include MG S5 and MG S6.
Other brands recorded imports below 100 units. SPG Automobiles imported 77 units of Chery iCaur V23, along with 65 units of Jaecoo and 50 units of Omoda.
Additional imports included 60 units of KYC, 31 units each from Suzuki and India-made MG, 25 units of Forthing Friday, 21 units of Dayun, 14 units of Mahindra, 13 units of GAC Aion, and 10 units each from Leapmotor and Xpeng.
Nine brands recorded imports below 10 units. These included BMW (8 units), Great Wall Motor (7 units), Geely and IM (3 units each), Avatr, Hozon (Neta), Hyundai, and LS Auto (2 units each), and Denza with a single unit.
The data highlights a strong pre-budget push by importers, with BYD maintaining a dominant position in Nepal’s growing EV market.
