Government’s Master Plan: 424 Charging Stations on 80 National Highways

The government has drafted a master plan to build 424 charging stations across 80 national highways, aiming to support the rising adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).

According to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), around 450 charging stations, mostly in urban areas, are already in operation nationwide, many established by private companies. The new plan seeks to expand this network to highways where facilities are currently limited.

A recent master plan prepared by the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat outlines charging points to be placed every 25 to 100 kilometers along all national highways. The proposal recommends development under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Factors such as traffic density, land availability, flood risks, road conditions, and proximity to the power grid have been considered for the planned 14,913 kilometers of road coverage.

Commission Secretary Dinanath Mishra said Nepal’s highways form the backbone of its transport system, linking major cities, markets, border points, and rural settlements. He emphasized that the expansion of EV charging infrastructure would significantly contribute to national economic development and regional integration.

EV Targets and Growing Imports

The government has pledged internationally that by 2030, 90 percent of all two-wheeler sales and 60 percent of four-wheeler sales will be electric.

As electricity availability improves, EV imports are growing rapidly. In fiscal year 2081/82, Nepal imported 13,600 electric vehicles worth over Rs 31.75 billion. The year before, import value stood at nearly Rs 29.48 billion for around 12,000 vehicles.

Four Types of Charging Stations Proposed

The master plan recommends installing four categories of charging stations based on vehicle type. Level 1 chargers operate on 120 volts, with an output capacity between 1.3 to 2.4 kilowatts. Level 2 chargers, which use 208 to 240 volts, can deliver power ranging from 3.3 to 22 kilowatts. Level 3, or fast chargers, have a capacity of 200 to 1,000 volts and can provide between 25 to 350 kilowatts, enabling a 20–30 minute charge to cover a range of 100 to 300 kilometers. For large vehicles, heavy-duty chargers are recommended, offering output between 350 kilowatts and 1 megawatt.

Boosting Power Consumption Through EVs

Nepal’s energy roadmap targets 28,500 megawatts of power generation by 2035. However, domestic electricity consumption remains relatively low. Experts argue that accelerating EV adoption will be crucial for increasing electricity demand, thereby aligning transport electrification with broader energy development goals.