KATHMANDU: Nepali actor and producer Keki Adhikari has been driving the Proton e.MAS 7 for nearly a year. While she praises the electric SUV’s comfort and low running costs, she says one habit has changed since she learned to drive, she now prefers sitting in the rear seat whenever someone else is behind the wheel.
Speaking to MeroAuto, Adhikari shared her experience of owning and driving the e.MAS 7.
“I’ve been using the e.MAS 7 for almost a year now. I’m very satisfied with its performance, and the cabin feels genuinely premium,” she said.
The actor mostly uses the SUV within the Kathmandu Valley for daily commuting and film shoots. She occasionally drives to Kavre but says most of her travel is around the city.
One of the more interesting changes, she says, is where she chooses to sit when someone else is driving.
“Whenever I’m not driving, I always sit in the back seat,” Adhikari said with a laugh. “Once you know how to drive, you somehow lose confidence in the driver when you’re sitting in the front passenger seat. You instinctively react to every movement, as if you’re the one behind the wheel. That can make the actual driver uncomfortable, so I prefer sitting in the back.”
Adhikari previously owned a petrol-powered car before switching to an EV. She says the transition has significantly reduced her operating costs.
“Earlier, I used to spend a lot on petrol. Now I don’t have to worry about fuel expenses. Besides being environmentally friendly, driving an EV gives me greater satisfaction because the running cost is much lower,” she said.
She added that the e.MAS 7’s spacious cabin has also helped during film production.
“It’s a large SUV, so during shoots I no longer need to rent a separate van in many situations. That has also helped reduce costs.”
On after-sales service, Adhikari believes there is still room for improvement across Nepal’s EV industry.
“Companies need to strengthen their after-sales service. Customers expect proper support after buying a vehicle, and that requires better service infrastructure. I believe companies are working towards that, but there is still more to be done,” she said.
