KATHMANDU: The global automobile market is buzzing with talk of 1500 kW DC chargers which require 1.5 MW of electricity to operate a single charging station. For now, such chargers are impractical in Nepal due to infrastructure limitations.
Electric vehicles (EVs) running on Nepali roads currently support superchargers. Tesla cars are compatible with superchargers, while Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 and Kia’s EV6 support up to 350 kW chargers. However, chargers of this capacity are not yet available in Nepal.
Recently, BYD demonstrated a 1000 kW charger in China. While the company plans to expand the technology across China, it remains a topic for discussion rather than implementation for Nepal. Huawei is also set to launch a 1500 kW charger designed for heavy trucks and buses. Meanwhile, Tesla has developed chargers up to 750 kW, and Chinese brand Zeekr is preparing to introduce a 1200 kW charger.
While competition among EV companies is driving the development of these high-capacity chargers globally, operating them in Nepal immediately is highly challenging.
Nepal’s challenges
Deploying large-scale chargers in Nepal faces significant hurdles. Limited high-voltage transmission infrastructure makes it difficult to support high-power chargers. Nepal’s current electricity generation and distribution system cannot sustain 1.5 MW chargers. For instance, a 1000 kW charger requires a consistent 1000 volts and 1000 amps, but voltage leakage during charging reduces efficiency. Ultra-fast chargers (above 500 kW) require liquid-cooled systems and cables, costing $11,000–$17,000—five times more than standard chargers.
Given these constraints, maximizing the use of existing chargers is Nepal’s best option for now.
Do EVs charge as claimed?
Manufacturers’ claims about charging times often do not hold up in real-world conditions. Factors like smaller DC chargers, inconsistent voltage and high charging losses result in higher charging times than claimed. Although models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla’s lineup, and Kia EV6 and EV9, which are designed for high-capacity chargers, Nepal’s chargers have capacity in the range of 30-60 kW which result in longer charging times.
Even vehicles compatible with 50–80 kW chargers struggle to meet charging time claimed by the manufacturers. Also, charging times claimed by the manufacturers are accurate in controlled lab settings.
What should Nepal do?
Chasing high-power chargers is not practical for Nepal yet. Most EV users charge at home, and highways have 30–60 kW DC chargers, which are sufficient for now. A realistic goal would be to install 150 kW chargers every 100 km along highways which offer tangible benefits to EV users while aligning with our existing infrastructure capabilities.
