Minister Ghising stresses EV use to curb pollution, drive green economy

KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Kul Man Ghising has stressed the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) to control pollution and lead Nepal towards a green economy.

Minister Ghising said this while inaugurating a charging station established by Change Digital in Samakhushi, Kathmandu, today. He stated that converting fuel-powered vehicles to electric ones is necessary to curb pollution and advance Nepal’s green-economy ambitions.

Describing the charging-station business as an attractive investment, he said increased consumption of Nepal’s hydropower in households, industry and factories will reduce petroleum imports, bolster foreign exchange reserves and make a significant contribution to the national economy.

The government has prioritised EV adoption through policies and plans that target 90% of private vehicles and 70% of public vehicles to be electric by 2030, rising to 95% and 90% respectively by 2035.

To encourage uptake, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has established 62 charging stations nationwide, while the private sector operates approximately 800 additional stations.

The Alternative Energy Promotion Centre has supported charging-station rollout via the Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund under the Central Renewable Energy Fund, backing 45 projects led by 18 companies and resulting in stations at 124 locations.

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