KATHMANDU: The number of commercial electric vehicle (EV) brands in Nepal has grown to around three dozen. The growth in this segment has outpaced that of internal combustion engine (ICE) brands, which currently number around a dozen in the commercial segment.
In recent years, the use of electric microbuses and delivery vans on short and medium routes has increased. Buyers are turning to EVs due to low taxes, lower operating costs, and better profit margins compared to ICE vehicles. The expansion of the charging network has also made it easier to operate EVs.
Chinese brands dominate Nepal’s commercial EV market, just as they do in the electric car segment.
Over the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, over 3,500 units of commercial EVs have been imported into the country. These include buses, microbuses and delivery vans.
According to dealers, the high number of brands is partly because of the tendency of Chinese manufacturers to produce vehicles under brand names requested by importers.
Nishan Dhakal, Chairperson of the Commercial Vehicle Committee at NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal, said the government’s tax incentives have helped boost EV imports. “Just like in the personal vehicle segment, the use of EVs in commercial transport is increasing. Tax incentives have made EVs more affordable, thereby attracting transport entrepreneurs,” he told MeroAuto.
Dhakal also cited lower running and maintenance costs and the expanding charging network as reasons behind the growing popularity of commercial EVs.
While the number of electric buses remains low, the number of electric microbuses has grown significantly. Most transport committees now prefer electric microbuses when purchasing new vehicles. Currently, more than 5,000 electric microbuses are operating across Nepal.
The price of commercial EVs in Nepal ranges from Rs 2 million to over Rs 10 million.
Brands and their distributors
Several business groups are selling more than one commercial EV brand. In the personal vehicle segment, some groups handle more than half a dozen brands, while in the commercial segment, several have at least two.
At present, nine major business groups sell 16 different commercial EV brands. CG Group, for example, is selling KYC and King Long brand of electric microbuses. Pooja Commercial under Vishal Group represents Joylong and Sinory (SRM), while Triveni Group sells DFAC and Kama in the Nepali market.
Likewise, Mega Motors under Mega Business Group represents Haozhi and Kama, Sashila Motors sells Higer and Keaton and Jagdamba Motors under Jagdamba Group offers Geely Farizon and Chery & Wanda vehicles in Nepal.
Arkus Group handles the sale of Golden Dragon and Sumec, while MAW Vriddhi Commercial, under MAW Group, distributes Chongqing and Foton. IME Group sells DFSK and Switch Mobility products in the domestic market.
In addition, 16 other companies sell a single brand each. These include Gonow by Eco Auto, Tata by Sipradi Trading and Sunlong by Nexon Venture.
Other brands available in Nepal’s commercial EV market include Future Motors, Jiangsu Tungyu, Victory, Wuling, Jiangsu Huazi Auto, Jiangsu, Nanning, RZM, Zhongtong and Kawei, among others.
