Nepal's Electric Vehicle Sales Surge, Helping to Reduce Oil Imports and Alleviate Smog

#Kathmandu, Nepal - Nepal's abundant hydropower resources are aiding the Himalayan nation in reducing oil imports and cleaning the air, thanks to a surge in electric vehicle (EV) sales. Almost all of the electricity generated in Nepal is clean energy, primarily produced by river-fed hydropower stations. With this abundant power source, Nepal is rapidly expanding its charging networks, and according to customs data, EV imports have doubled each year for the past two years.

#Nepal Electricity Authority estimates that the use of EVs has reduced oil import costs by $22 million annually, with savings on the rise. Access to electricity in Nepal has skyrocketed over the past three decades with the completion of hydroelectric projects. Now, all but 6% of the population can access the country's rapidly expanding grid, allowing Nepal to leapfrog its neighbors in EV adoption.

#Nepal currently has a peak power generation capacity of 2,600 megawatts, which is increasing with the completion of new hydropower plants. A small amount of power is also generated by solar plants. Nepal has included the promotion of EVs as part of its national commitments to curb climate-changing emissions, pledging to raise the proportion of EVs in all vehicle sales to 25% by 2025 and 90% by 2030.