Kathmandu. The automobile market in Nepal showed mixed enthusiasm in the first month ( साउन) of the current fiscal year 2083-84. According to data released by the Department of Customs, there has been a significant increase in the import of cars, jeeps, and vans in the month of साउन, while the import of two-wheeled vehicles has seen a slight decline.
However, the attraction towards electric vehicles (EVs) has been very strong in both sectors. In the month of साउन, a total of 987 units of cars, jeeps, and vans entered Nepal. This is an increase of approximately 24 percent (190 units) compared to the same period last year. Last year, 797 units of cars were imported in साउन.
Electric cars constitute the largest share of the total imported cars. According to the department, 689 units of electric cars were imported in साउन. This is a fourfold increase compared to 160 units last year. In addition, 219 units of petrol, 56 units of diesel, and 23 units of plug-in hybrid cars were imported in साउन.
Import Value and Revenue for Four-Wheelers
The total import value was 2 billion 190 million rupees, while the total revenue collected by the government was 2 billion 440 million rupees. Of this, electric cars alone were imported for 1 billion 610 million rupees in the first month of साउन, generating 1 billion 60 million rupees in revenue for the government, the department stated.
Similarly, petrol-diesel cars alone were imported for 448.5 million rupees, generating 1 billion 90 million rupees in revenue for the government. Furthermore, hybrid cars were imported for only 130 million rupees, generating 290 million rupees in revenue for the government, the department informed.
The increase in car imports is attributed to businesses bringing in a large number of new EV brands and models in anticipation of the NADA Auto Show scheduled for Bhadra and the NIMA Mobility Expo held in साउन.
Two-Wheelers: 28,000 Units Imported, New Record for E-Scooters
On the other hand, there has been a slight decline in two-wheeled vehicles in साउन. In the month of साउन, a total of 27,806 units of motorcycles and scooters were imported. This is a decrease of 7.52 percent, or 2,262 units, compared to the same month last year (30,087 units).
Electric scooters have also set a new record in the import of two-wheelers. For the first time, 5,174 units of electric two-wheeled vehicles entered in a single month. The share of electric vehicles in the total two-wheeler import has reached 18.60 percent.
The total import value was 4 billion rupees (both unassembled and complete), from which the government collected 3 billion 480 million rupees in revenue. The department stated that more than 80 percent of the two-wheelers imported in साउन were unassembled. Currently, brands such as Bajaj, TVS, Yamaha, Honda, Royal Enfield, Hero, and CFMoto are assembling locally in Nepal.