KATHMANDU: MAW Vriddhi is preparing to introduce the Deepal S05, an electric compact SUV manufactured in Thailand, to the Nepali market. The company has announced plans to bring a few demo units for road testing in Nepal by the end of this month.
“We have a policy of testing all vehicles for at least 5,000 kilometers under Nepali road conditions before offering them for sale. Accordingly, we plan to bring the S05 by the end of this month and begin trials,” a source at MAW Vriddhi, the authorized distributor of Deepal in Nepal, told MeroAuto.
According to MAW Vriddhi, the S05 will be a feature-rich compact SUV offered at a highly competitive price. This will mark the first time an electric vehicle manufactured in Thailand by a Chinese brand will enter Nepal. Until now, only Thai-made vehicles from brands like Toyota, Nissan and Ford have been available in the country.
The variant coming to Nepal is expected to feature a 56.1 kWh battery and a motor with a capacity under 100 kW to make it more competitive in the domestic market.
Why the S05 Is Generating Buzz
Deepal EVs are known for their innovative design, which has helped previous models like the S07 and L07 gain popularity in Nepal. The company’s futuristic-looking Transformation SUV E07 has also drawn attention for its standout styling.
The S05 measures 4,620 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width and 1,600 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,880 mm. In Thailand, the model is available with 79.97 kWh and 65.1 kWh LFP battery options. However, the variant coming to Nepal is expected to feature a 56.1 kWh battery and a motor with a capacity under 100 kW to make it more competitive in the domestic market. The S05 supports fast charging of up to 152 kW DC, which enables the car to charge from 30% to 80% in just 15 minutes. It also comes equipped with 6.6 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) capacity.
According to MAD Vriddhi, the S05 is designed for a high-end experience, featuring a panoramic sunroof, ventilated leather seats, a leather-wrapped dashboard, and an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat with memory and welcome function. It also includes a PM 2.5 air filter, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera (with undercarriage view), and 14 premium speakers. An advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS), remote parking, and a driver-following screen further boost its appeal.
The S05 is expected to take on rivals like the BYD Atto 3, Proton eMAS-7 and Omoda E5 in the Nepali market. The car is expected to be launched during the NADA Auto Show 2025, scheduled for August.