KATHMANDU: Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is rapidly increasing in Nepal. EVs now account for around 70% of new car sales, surpassing internal combustion engine vehicles.
This shift has been driven primarily by government tax exemptions. Other contributing factors include growing environmental awareness among consumers, advancements in battery technology, Nepal’s widening trade deficit and the need to reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.
However, Nepal needs to invest in a strong and accessible charging infrastructure to further increase EV adoption. Currently, there are two main approaches to powering EVs: traditional charging stations and battery swapping centers.
Battery swapping appears more useful for smaller electric vehicles like scooters and e-rickshaws. In fact, this method has seen success with larger SUVs in markets like China. However, battery swapping has not yet been widely implemented for public transport and is still absent in Nepal’s four-wheeler EV segment.
In the two-wheeler category, however, Nebula Energy has installed Taiwanese firm Gogoro’s battery swap system. It has already installed 45 battery swapping stations across Kathmandu. Additionally, the planned arrival of Chinese brand Nio in Nepal has sparked further discussions about swapping centers.
Despite these developments, battery swapping poses challenges in smaller markets like Nepal, primarily due to the high cost and limited lifespan of batteries. Although charging stations are the more widely used method, it typically takes one to two hours to fully charge an EV. Most of the 60 kW chargers currently in use across the country take even longer. As of now, the government has installed 62 fast-charging stations. The private sector has also made significant investments in charging infrastructure.
Which is Better?
The debate between battery swapping and charging stations is ongoing. Each has its own advantages. Battery swapping offers a faster turnaround and could be ideal for densely populated urban areas like Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan. In contrast, solar-powered charging stations may be more suitable for rural areas where grid connectivity is limited.
Experts suggest that Nepal would benefit most from a hybrid approach that combines both technologies. Nepal can build a strong EV ecosystem with proper government support, standardization and private sector involvement. While battery swapping can save time with its quick service, charging stations offer reliability, especially in geographically diverse regions. The integration of both systems may provide the most practical solution for the consumers.
