Ministry plans to launch 'green' vehicle policy

KATHMANDU:

If things go as per the government’s plan, commuters will be able to ride on bigger and wider green or environment friendly electric vehicles from this year. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) is doing final preparations to introduce a policy which aims to promote the operation of electric vehicles.

The proposed policy has planned to promote the operation of more electric vehicles for public transport by providing customs waiver to import such vehicles besides encouraging the use of private hybrid and electric automobiles. “The draft is almost final and will be sent to the Cabinet within a month for endorsement,” said Tulasi Prasad Sitaula, secretary of MoPIT.

The draft is being finalised with inputs from other concerned ministries. MoPIT has sought suggestions from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, the Ministry of Urban Development and the Ministry of Finance. The policy will help increase the use of electric vehicles which is expected to contribute in bringing down the import of fuel and reducing air pollution.

In the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, the country imported petroleum products worth Rs 109 billion which is more than 25 percent of the total imports. Similarly, over 200,000 units of bikes and other vehicles are being imported annually.

Some electric vehicles like Safa Tempo are already in operation in Kathmandu Valley for public service, however they are small and can accommodate only 10-12 passengers. Sitaula said that once the policy is implemented, the private sector will be able to import bigger electric vehicles having capacity for 20-40 seats for public transport and if they want they will also be able to operate trolley bus service.

The policy has also planned to encourage conversion of old petrol or diesel run vehicles into electric vehicles. This permission to commercially convert fuel run vehicles to electric ones is also expected to reduce vehicle import. The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) said that the policy will include issues like issuance of route permission for operation of electric public vehicles, customs duty waiver, and areas for operation of electric public vehicles and charging stations for such vehicles.

MoPIT officials said that the policy will not fix an exact facility for those importing electric vehicles. They said that based on the policy, the government either through annual budget announcement or through a special programme of the Finance Ministry will be offering customs waiver, tax incentives and other facilities to individuals and public transport service operators using electric vehicles.

DoTM officials said that there are an estimated 2,500 electric vehicles in the country with around 600 units of Safa Tempos, 50 plus four-wheelers like Reva electric cars and 1,500 two-wheelers.

Source: THT