Kathmandu, May 27 :

Stating that electric vehicles (EVs) can be a dependable means of transportation for the denizens of the valley, president of the Electric Vehicles’ Association of Nepal (EVAN), Hridaya Narayan Manandhar, today called on the present Loktantrik government to provide all possible support so that the environment-friendly means of transportation can survive and prosper.

“During 10 years of service, we have developed four and six-wheelers.

Safa electric cars are also being manufactured. We can provide transportation service to all the denizens of the valley,” said Manandhar.

Manandhar demanded that the government come up with a special provision for the EVs. The government should allow only EVs to ply tourist spots in the valley, including the Tribhuvan International Airport area, Thamel and heritage sites, Manandhar said.

“Previous governments showed no interest in developing the EVs. EVAN hopes the Loktantrik

government will take

supportive steps for the development of the EV sector as a sustainable transport industry”.

Calling on the government to draft a policy of converting 20-year-old vehicles, which are about to be displaced, into EVs, Manandhar demanded that tax imposed in the import of raw materials used in manufacturing batteries for the EVs be reduced. The tax cut will help the Nepali battery companies survive,

he said. A Biratnagar-based Nepali company has been manufacturing Cooline batteries for the last three years.

EVAN also demanded that the National Planning Commission draft suitable long-term policies for the development of the EV sector.

According to Umesh Shrestha, president of the Clean Locomotives Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (CLEAN), over 600 electric vehicles have been plying the valley. “Apart from being environment-friendly, EVs have provided jobs to hundreds of women.”

The EVs have proved that they can cater to all the transportation needs of the people living in the valley, Shrestha said.