KATHMANDU: Nepal has recorded a sharp rise in imports of petrol-powered (ICE) cars in the ongoing fiscal year 2025/26.
According to four-month data (mid-July to mid-November) published by the Department of Customs, imports of petrol cars, jeeps and vans have increased by 54.25 percent compared to the same period last year.
In the first four months, a total of 2,465 combustion vehicles worth Rs 2.29 billion were imported, which is 867 units more than the 1,598 units imported during the same period last year.
The government has collected Rs 5.09 billion in revenue from ICE car imports so far this fiscal year.
The share of petrol vehicles has also grown within Nepal’s overall car imports. Out of 5,668 total cars imported in four months, ICE models accounted for 43.49 percent.
In previous years, the market trend usually leaned 65/35 in favor of EVs over combustion vehicles. The rise in demand for ICE cars and the slowdown in EV imports have both contributed to this shift.
Hyundai alone holds half the market
Hyundai has maintained a strong lead in combustion-vehicle imports this fiscal year. Of the 2,336 fuel-powered cars brought into Nepal in four months, Hyundai alone captured 50 percent of the share.
Department data also shows that 1,245 units of four-wheel unassembled vehicles were imported during this period.
Since Hyundai is currently the only brand assembling four-wheel vehicles in Nepal, all of these units belong to the company. Hyundai has been assembling the Creta and Venue models locally.
