Kathmandu, February 15:

Stating that six hours of load-shedding everyday has adversely affected electric vehicle owners, the Clean Locomotive Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (CLEAN) today demanded the government seek alternatives to save the clean vehicles plying in the valley.

“The load-shedding has threatened the survival of over 1,000 employees and entrepreneurs, while the investment of some Rs 500 million is on the verge of collapsing,” said Umesh Raj Shrestha, the president of CLEAN.

Shrestha said some 600 electric vehicles have been providing service to over 132,000 people of the valley everyday by utilising electricity to charge batteries during the night hours.

“There is no reason why the government should impose load-shedding during the off peak hours, especially from 10 pm to 10 am. We demand the government either withdraw load-shedding during the off-peak hours or find alternative ways for the electric vehicles to charge their batteries,” he said. Shrestha also said the victimised entrepreneurs would be compelled to go for phase-wise struggle to save their business.

Electric vehicles have been serving the people even at times when the country is reeling under acute fuel scarcity, he said.

“The government could help us by supplying electricity to charging stations at night,” he said.