Kathmandu: Nepal’s import of electrical four-wheelers has slumped previously two months, largely as a result of disruption of two key commerce routes with China attributable to large landslides and floods. In response to the Division of Customs, Nepal imported simply 486 electrical four-wheelers within the first two months of the present fiscal yr 2025-26, which started mid-July. This marks a pointy decline from the 1,602 items imported throughout the identical interval within the final fiscal.
China, Nepal’s largest provider of EVs, recorded a drastic fall in exports with solely 240 automobiles shipped within the two-month interval — down from 1,125 items final yr. India, the second-largest provider, additionally noticed a decline, exporting 207 automobiles in comparison with 475 items a yr in the past.
The drop follows the closure of two main border crossings. The Rasuwagadhi-Kerung checkpoint has been shut since early July after floods destroyed the Nepal-China Friendship Bridge, a dry port, and different infrastructure on the Nepal aspect. In the meantime, the Tatopani-Nyalam crossing has been blocked for the previous month by landslides, although partial clearance was reported on Monday.
“The principle cause behind the decreased import of electrical automobiles from China is the blockade on these two commerce routes,” Samir Shrestha, Chief Advertising Officer at Cimex Inc. Pvt. Ltd, the authorised distributor of BYD vehicles in Nepal instructed IANS. “Now we have began utilizing the newly-opened Mustang route since mid-September to usher in automobiles.”
The Division of Customs lately introduced that this border level has remained absolutely operational beginning September 15. Nepal’s Central Financial institution has additionally said in a current discover that importers from Nepal might use this path to get items from China via a letter of credit score.
“This association signifies that the third commerce route between Nepal and China has now been formally opened for worldwide commerce,” stated Kishor Bartuala, Data Officer on the customs division. “Earlier, this route was getting used for cross border commerce of products among the many individuals of the bordering area solely,” he revealed.
The customs division stated over 200 electrical 4 wheelers had been delivered to Nepal from China after the opening of the border level for worldwide commerce final week. Shrestha confused that demand for Chinese language EVs stays sturdy however acknowledged that some clients have cancelled bookings following considerations over car harm throughout current Gen-Z protests, which left over 70 individuals lifeless and precipitated widespread destruction.
For years, India-made Inside Combustion Engine (ICE) automobiles dominated Nepal’s auto market. However shopper choice has shifted sharply towards EVs, giving Chinese language manufacturers a commanding presence. Final fiscal, Nepal imported 13,578 electrical four-wheelers, with 75.2 per cent coming from China and the remaining from India, Germany, the US, and different nations.