EV Imports Fall 12% as Floods and Landslides Cripple Northern Trade Routes

KATHMANDU, Nov 13: Nepal’s import of electric vehicles (EVs) fell by 12 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year compared to the same period last year, as persistent floods and landslides disrupted trade through key northern border points with China.

The months-long trade disruption forced importers to seek alternative routes, leading to delays in deliveries and dampening festive season sales.

According to the Department of Customs, Nepal imported 2,712 EVs—including buses, microbuses, cars, jeeps, and vans—worth Rs 6.52 billion during the first three months of the fiscal year. In contrast, the country imported 3,616 fossil-fuel vehicles worth Rs 4.26 billion, marking a 69.04 percent rise in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle imports.

Despite the drop in quantity, EVs still led in total import value.

Trade Paralysis at Northern Borders

Trade across the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani border points has remained nearly paralyzed for the past four months, leaving around 900 containers stranded on the Chinese side. The Miteri Bridge, swept away by floods in July, remains under repair, while China has been dispatching only a limited number of containers each day.

“The closure of Rasuwagadhi made it extremely difficult to import EVs during the festive season,” said Yamuna Shrestha, Managing Director of Cimex Inc, the authorized distributor of BYD in Nepal. “Fortunately, we managed to bring vehicles through the Korala border, though the route lacks proper infrastructure.”

According to Shrestha, nearly 1,400 BYD vehicles have entered Nepal via the Korala border since Dashain. However, she noted that festive sales did not grow compared to last year due to delayed shipments.

Traders say they are continuing to divert shipments through Korala until December, before harsh winter conditions make the route impassable.

Auto Industry Faces Supply Challenges

Vice President of the Nepal Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), Puskar Ojha, said that supply constraints have prevented dealers from fulfilling customer demand. “With Rasuwagadhi closed and limited movement at Tatopani, we haven’t been able to deliver or sell EVs as expected,” he said.

Construction of a Bailey bridge at Rasuwagadhi is underway and is expected to reopen the route by mid-November.

Earlier this year, nearly 90 newly imported EVs, including premium models like Skywell, were swept away or damaged by flash floods. Most of these belonged to Chaudhary Group, one of Nepal’s largest automobile importers.

Shifts in Global and Regional EV Trends

Globally, EV makers are also feeling pressure. According to an Associated Press report, passenger car sales in China—the world’s largest EV market—slowed in October, with giants BYD and Tesla both facing reduced demand amid intensified competition and price cuts. China is also preparing to halve tax exemptions for electric and hybrid vehicles starting next year.

EV Import Sources and Outlook

In Nepal, the first quarter saw 2,029 EVs worth Rs 4.9 billion imported from China, and 463 EVs worth Rs 955.4 million from India, while others arrived from Thailand, the UK, Germany, South Korea, and the US.

Last fiscal year, Nepal imported 22,907 four-wheelers worth Rs 50.88 billion, of which 16,701 were electric vehicles valued at Rs 41.23 billion. EV imports had surged 23.33 percent year-on-year.

Despite logistical hurdles, public interest in electric mobility remains strong. Two major auto expos—the NAIMA Auto Show and the NADA Auto Show, both held in August—reported a surge in footfall and bookings, signaling continued enthusiasm for EVs in Nepal’s evolving automotive market.