Nepal's electric vehicle sales have surged, with Chinese electric vehicles playing a key role. Under the Nepalese government's emission reduction policies and China's support, electric vehicle sales in Nepal accounted for 76% of its total passenger car sales in 2024. In 2019, electric vehicle sales in Nepal were almost zero. In 2021, the Nepalese government set the tariff and consumption tax on electric vehicles at a maximum of 40%, while the total tax rate on fuel vehicles reached as high as 180%. Second, accelerate the construction of electric vehicle infrastructure. Third, the electricity price for electric vehicles is much lower than market levels.
The current cost of gasoline for vehicles in Nepal is about 15 times that of electric power. Therefore, buying an electric vehicle is essential for Nepalese people.
In the 2015 Nepal-India border conflict, Nepal's oil imports sharply decreased, forcing it to turn to hydropower and grid infrastructure development to reduce its reliance on Indian oil. China's industrial advantages and policy support have driven the electrification of Nepal's automotive market.
The reason why Nepal has developed electric vehicles is also because Nepal was too badly squeezed by India. During the 2015 crisis in Nepal, India blocked Nepal's oil imports, leading to a complete shortage of oil in Nepal. China then urgently transported some oil from the border areas to Nepal to alleviate the crisis; otherwise, there would be no oil available throughout the country. Because Nepal's oil is imported from India, or transported from Indian ports to Nepal.
However, India blocked Nepal's oil import channels and also triggered a major earthquake in Nepal in 2015. Under these two blows, Nepal's economy nearly collapsed. Since then, Nepal has seen through India's true face and started to actively get close to the northern neighbor, not getting overly close to India, otherwise it would eventually be swallowed by India. India also revealed its ambitions too early, and without the ability to swallow Nepal, it has completely alienated Nepal.
Under these circumstances, the China-Nepal railway was announced to be built, because if Nepal relies only on India, it will eventually be strangled by India. The reason for building the railway connecting the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, is to establish contact with China. Normally, the railway transports materials and trade, and in wartime, it may help provide protection. It is not impossible. Anyway, Nepal has made up its mind to go towards oil independence and embrace China's electric industry.
The number of electric vehicles in Nepal mainly consists of relatively low-priced electric vehicles domestically. Expensive ones are unaffordable for Nepalis, so the low-priced electric vehicles from our country are well known, and the blogger won't elaborate further. Anyway, electric vehicles costing more than 350,000 yuan in China are not available in Nepal, as they are too expensive! Currently, only cheap electric vehicles can be bought, and it's already good enough.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839410448601216/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.