KATHMANDU: According to the Department of Customs data, Nepal imported 15,466 cars, jeeps, and vans during the first 11 months of the fiscal year 2025/26, covering the period from mid-July 2025 to mid-June 2026.
The figure includes both electric vehicles and petrol-powered vehicles. Compared to the same period last fiscal year, overall car imports declined by 10.35 percent, with 1,786 fewer units imported.
In the first 11 months of the previous fiscal year, Nepal had imported 17,272 units of cars, jeeps, and vans.
The total value of vehicle imports during the current fiscal year period stood at Rs 30.07 billion. The government collected Rs 25.44 billion in revenue from these imports. During the same period last year, vehicle imports were valued at Rs 35.90 billion.
EV imports decline by 19 percent
Electric car imports declined by 19.27 percent in the current fiscal year compared to last year.
Nepal imported 10,892 units of EV cars in the first 11 months of FY 2025/26, down from 13,492 units during the same period last year.
The imported EVs were valued at Rs 25.68 billion, generating Rs 15.53 billion in government revenue.
The decline in EV imports was mainly due to lower vehicle arrivals before the annual budget announcement compared to last year. However, around 2,000 EVs were imported in Jestha alone this year. Last year, more than 3,000 EVs entered Nepal during the same month.
According to customs data, Nepal imported 3,680 EVs with battery capacity up to 50 kW, 6,357 units between 51 kW and 100 kW, 798 units between 101 kW and 200 kW, and 10 units above 201 kW.
The country also imported two unassembled electric cars with battery capacity up to 50 kW.
Petrol car imports increase
While EV imports declined, petrol vehicle imports increased during the same period.
Nepal imported 4,574 petrol cars in the first 11 months of FY 2025/26, which is 21.62 percent higher than the previous year. In the same period last year, 3,761 petrol cars were imported.
The increase in petrol car imports was linked to rising demand for internal combustion engine vehicles. However, imports have slowed recently due to rising crude oil prices following global geopolitical tensions.
Hyundai has maintained the largest share in Nepal’s petrol car imports. Out of the total 4,574 petrol cars imported, 2,096 units were unassembled vehicles.
Hyundai is currently the only company assembling four-wheelers in Nepal. The company produces the Hyundai Creta and Hyundai Venue locally.
