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Nepal must build at least 10,000 charging stations nationwide by 2030 to meet the government’s target of converting 90 percent of private vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs).

A study conducted by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MoID) concluded that the expansion of charging infrastructure is essential to achieve the country’s commitment of 90 percent private EV adoption by 2030 and “net zero carbon” emissions by 2045.

The MoID formed a panel led by Joint Secretary Krishna Raj Panta to assess the prospects of EV expansion. The panel identified several challenges, including the inadequate number of charging stations, high battery costs, poor road infrastructure, and issues related to battery reuse and disposal.

Other obstacles highlighted include lack of skilled manpower and international experience, limited private-sector participation, insufficient skill development, and dependence on imported vehicle parts. High upfront costs, low resale value, inconsistent vehicle quality, shortage of qualified drivers, and the inability to deploy EVs for large passenger or cargo transport were also cited as barriers.

The report further emphasized the need for investment in EV-friendly infrastructure, private-sector incentives, policies for charging stations and battery swapping technologies, battery life-cycle management, research and development, and the formulation of clear technical standards.

Transport entrepreneurs remain reluctant to operate EVs on long routes due to the shortage of charging stations along highways and in rural areas. Currently, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) operates 62 fast-charging stations, each with a capacity of 142 kW. For the current fiscal year, NEA has allocated over Rs 10 million to install infrastructure in seven major locations.

To boost domestic hydropower consumption, the government has also prioritized EV promotion in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget. Nepal’s road network now spans approximately 100,000 kilometers, yet charging stations remain sparse compared to road length.

At present, around 1,000 charging stations are operational across the country, most of them managed by authorized distributors of EV brands. Private-sector companies such as VG Automobiles under Vishal Group, MAW Group, Cimex Inc., Shasheela Motors, and Triveni Group are actively operating charging facilities. However, most stations are concentrated in major urban centers including Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Bharatpur, according to the MoID report.