Environment

Electric vehicle (EV) imports to Nepal fell sharply in the first half of the current fiscal year, despite strong domestic demand, due to prolonged disruptions at key northern trade points with China. According to the Department of Customs, EV imports declined by 14.47 percent compared to the same period last year. Nepal imported 5,698 units of EVs including buses, minibuses, cars, jeeps, and vans worth Rs 14 billion during the six-month period. Imports of conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles also dropped. The country imported 2,600 ICE vehicles worth Rs 3.89 billion, marking a 10.59 percent decline year-on-year. China Border Disruptions Hit Supply The decline has been largely attributed to prolonged closures and irregular operations at northern bord...