KATHMANDU: Nepal imported more than 13,000 units of cars, jeeps, and vans in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year 2025/26 ending mid-May 2026.
According to the Department of Customs, a total of 13,036 units of passenger vehicles, including both electric and petrol models, entered the country during the review period.
Overall car imports declined slightly compared to the same period last fiscal year. Nepal had imported 13,074 units by mid-May 2025, which is 38 units more than this year.
The country imported vehicles worth Rs 26.60 billion during the 10-month period. The government collected Rs 21.86 billion in revenue from the imports.
EV imports decline
Imports of electric cars dropped by 13.95 percent this fiscal year. Nepal had imported 9,857 EVs in the first 10 months of the previous fiscal year. The number has now fallen to 8,607 units.
The imported EVs were worth Rs 20.32 billion, while the government collected Rs 12.43 billion in revenue from them.
Industry insiders say last year’s surge in EV imports was mainly driven by rumors of a tax hike before the national budget announcement. Traders had imported over 3,000 EVs in May 2025 alone.
Many of those vehicles are yet to be sold, which has affected fresh imports this year. In addition, there were no strong rumors of tax hikes this year, so importers avoided stockpiling vehicles.
Among the imported EVs this fiscal year, 2,843 units were up to 50kW, 5,025 units were between 51kW and 100kW, 723 units were between 101kW and 200kW, and 9 units were above 201kW.
Nepal also imported two unassembled electric cars with motor capacity below 50kW.
Petrol car imports rise
While EV imports declined, petrol car imports recorded strong growth this year.
A total of 4,429 petrol cars were imported in the first 10 months of the fiscal year. This is 37.67 percent higher than the same period last year, when Nepal had imported 3,217 units.
The rise is mainly linked to increasing demand for ICE vehicles in the domestic market. However, petrol car imports have slowed in recent weeks due to rising global crude oil prices amid the Iran conflict.
Hyundai dominated petrol car imports during the review period. Out of the 4,429 petrol cars imported, 2,035 units were unassembled vehicles.
Currently, Hyundai Motor Company is the only brand assembling four-wheelers in Nepal. The company assembles the Creta and Venue locally.
