NEA Chief Ghising pushes for extensive use of electric vehicles, citing to increase domestic consumption of electricity

Kathmandu: Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Kulman Ghising on Monday said the authority has prepared an action plan to increase consumption of electricity.

Speaking at a program held in Kathmandu, the NEA chief Ghising called upon everyone to use electric vehicles. “Along with a massive investment in electricity production, using electric vehicles are far cheaper than petrol and diesel vehicles,” Ghising said.

While emphasizing on the need to reduce pollution by increasing the use of electric vehicles, Managing Director Ghising said that using electric vehicles is beneficial from many aspects. He said that electric vehicles are suitable from the point of view of environmental and health protection.

He said, “In the way that Nepal's clean electricity is being promoted, electric vehicles are coming under the action plan to increase consumption along with investments. For that I call upon everyone to use electric vehicles. Let's all use electric vehicles.” 

Ghising mentioned that electric vehicles are cheaper in terms of the cost of operation as compared to vehicles based on fossil fuel. It costs around Rs 0.25 to 0.3 per kilometer for those using electric scooters and Rs 10 to 12 per kilometer to those using fossil-fuel based scooters.

Ghising also mentioned that the maintenance cost of electric scooters is also very low as they have no engine. “Consumers are benefited equally as the operation cost is low. The use of petrol/diesel-powered vehicles has caused pollution in various cities including Kathmandu. Pollution is also reduced by the use of electric vehicles,” he further said.

Ghising maintained that electric vehicles are most suitable in Nepal for both environment and health safety.  “This will greatly help Nepal to move towards clean energy and carbon neutrality. Let's all use electric vehicles in the coming days,” he said.