Kathmandu. Nepal Automobile Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) has drawn attention to the comments, discussions and interpretations being carried out in various media regarding the motor capacity of electric vehicles (EVs) in recent times. The issue was raised by the regulator in discussions with the Finance Minister, the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, and the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport and expressed the need for a clear, practical and uniform arrangement for testing, certification and technical evaluation of EV motor capacity.
According to Naima, the imported electric vehicles are being imported on the basis of the official technical details, test reports and certification process issued by internationally recognized manufacturing companies. “It is a common international practice in the global automobile industry to produce vehicles of the same model with different technical specifications depending on different countries, regulatory frameworks and market requirements, so it is not technically credible to draw conclusions about motor capacity based solely on the description, model name or external information available on the website.
Currently, clear national technical standards, institutional testing system and integrated working procedures for testing and certification of motor capacity related to EVs are not fully implemented in Nepal. Stating that this ambiguity has led to confusion, confusion and different interpretations at various levels, the NAIMA has stressed that the technical evaluation of the EV vehicle should be done on the basis of the certified details issued by the authorized manufacturing company, the certificate from the internationally recognized testing agency and the established technical standards. It also pointed out the urgent need to develop clear technical procedures, testing infrastructure and certification systems to ensure uniform interpretation and implementation among relevant government agencies.
Electric vehicles are fast emerging as an important medium to promote clean energy use, sustainable transport system and green economy of Nepal. The expansion of EV space will increase the effective utilization of clean energy in the country, reduce environmental pollution, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the energy and transportation sector.
According to NIMA, technical and policy issues related to the electric vehicle sector should be analyzed on the basis of adequate study, proven facts and established international practice. “Unconfirmed information or interpretation may create unnecessary confusion in the market and affect consumer confidence, investment climate and the long-term development process of electric vehicle sector,” the statement said.
“We will continue to play a constructive role in the development of clear, transparent and practical technical systems by continuously strengthening coordination and cooperation with the government and relevant agencies,” the statement reads. Naima is the common forum of automobile importers and manufacturers of Nepal and has been actively working in collaboration with the government and the private sector for economic growth, industrial development, and inclusive access, embodying the concept of “mobility for all”.
