A significant number of electric vehicles (EVs) have been stranded in China due to the closure of the Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi customs checkpoints along the northern border.
At a time when interest in EVs is increasing in Nepal, around 800 vehicles ordered from China have been stuck because landslides have damaged roads at and beyond the border, according to customs offices.
Vehicle importers and customs officials have confirmed that many booked vehicles remain stranded across the border. The growing popularity of EVs in Nepal is attributed to their ease of use and lower operating costs.
Gyanendra Chand, a representative of SPG Automobile, which sells Omoda and Jayco EVs, stated that over 300 EVs from Chinese manufacturers have already been booked but cannot be delivered due to the large number of stranded vehicles.
Chand added that the damaged roads prevent timely delivery to customers. "We have no immediate plans to transport them by sea; we're waiting for the road to reopen soon," he said.
Customs officials confirmed that the movement of new EVs through the northern border has come to a standstill because of road blockages on both sides. They noted that the government has been generating significant revenue from EV imports, but the revenue target may not be met if the vehicles remain stuck.
Surya Prasad Kafle, a customs officer at Tatopani, reported that the floods have halted the arrival of a large volume of goods. He mentioned that approximately 300 new EVs were brought into Nepal before the floods, with a similar number planned for arrival ahead of the Dashain festival. However, damaged roads have prevented the delivery of those vehicles.
“Each car used to generate revenue of Rs 2 million to Rs 2.2 million, but that has completely stopped,” Kafle noted. “If traders are unable to bring goods, the government could lose millions in revenue every day.” He also mentioned that efforts are ongoing to reopen the blocked roads, with hopes that some goods could arrive via the Tatopani customs within a week.
Rabindra Prasad Pyakurel, a customs officer at Rasuwagadhi, also reported that new vehicles and other goods have been unable to cross the border due to road damage. He noted that around 1,500 EVs had arrived before Dashain, and traders had reportedly booked an additional 400 to 500 vehicles for import through Rasuwagadhi. “These vehicles were expected to arrive before Tihar,” he said. “Even if Nepal's roads are restored, the roads on the Chinese side have been washed away, making an immediate reopening unlikely.”
Coordination with Chinese authorities is ongoing to reopen the border before Tihar. Pyakurel mentioned that a significant amount of goods meant for Dashain and Tihar remains stuck at the border.
According to the data of the Department of Customs, 4,220 private and 281 public EVs were imported during the fiscal year 2022/23. In the following year, 2023/24, the number increased to 12,147 in the private segment and 884 public EVs.