Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Electric car, jeep, and van imports fell by 9.97% in the first nine months of fiscal year 2025/26.
According to foreign trade data released by the Department of Customs on Monday, Nepal imported 7,173 electric vehicles in the passenger car segment, down from 7,967 units in the same period of the previous fiscal year.
Electric passenger cars worth Rs 16.66 billion entered the country during the review period of the current fiscal year. The government mobilized Rs 10.11 billion in revenue from such imports.
Like in most of the world, China is the major supplier of EVs in Nepal. Cars from leading Chinese brands, such as BYD, Deepal, Leapmotor, Omoda/Jaecoo, and MG, among others, are immensely popular in Nepal. Similarly, EVs from Indian manufacturers, such as Tata and Mahindra, are also imported into the country.
The government levies customs duty on electric vehicles based on peak motor capacity. Cars with peak motor capacity up to 50 kW are subjected to 15% customs duty. Similarly, those with motor capacity in the range of 51–100 kW are charged 20% customs duty and 10% excise duty. Likewise, cars with a capacity in the range of 101–200 kW are levied 30% customs duty and excise duty each, while those in the 201–300 kW capacity range are charged 60% customs Duty and 45% excise duty.
Electric cars with motor capacity above 300 kW are charged 80% customs duty and 50% excise duty.
Customs data show Nepal imported 2,506 units under the 50 kW category. The 51-100 kW segment is the most popular among Nepali consumers if import figures are anything to go by. A total of 4,083 units in this range were imported during the review period. Similarly, 574 units in the 101-200 kW category, and eight units in the above 201-300 kW category were imported in nine months. Two units of unassembled EVs with motor capacity below 50 kW were also imported during the review period.
EV imports have been falling since the beginning of the current fiscal year as dealers imported a large number of cars, anticipating a hike in customs duty. EV imports had fallen 7.42% over the first half of the current fiscal year to 5,073 units.
