Kathmandu, March 22:

The Kathmandu Electric Vehicles Alliance (KEVA) introduced the first prototype electric Mini V at a function here today.

In-country coordinator of KEVA Bibek Chapagain said the vehicle is suitable for office pick-up and drop-off purposes, as a family vehicle and for delivery purposes. “The initial response has been encouraging, and we have started receiving inquiries from the international market as well,” he added.

According to KEVA, initial road tests have shown that the vehicle attained speeds of up to 60 km per hour and easily climbed the steep hill up to Swoyambhu Temple. Unlike the existing three-wheeler EVs, this vehicle has an on-board charger, which means that the vehicle can be charged at home or at office simply by plugging into a standard 15 ampere three pin socket. With full charge, the vehicle will run up to 70 km, a greater distance than most vehicles run in a day in Kathmandu.

With 40 per cent to 60 per cent of saving in fuel cost when compared to petrol or diesel engine, the initial analysis shows that the annual fuel cost saving can be Rs 18,000 to Rs 60,000 depending on the number of kilometers driven per day.

Addressing the function, Surrendra Golchha of Hulas Motors Company said the EVs could do miracles in Nepal when the cost of fossil fuel is increasing.

Under secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology Narendra Prasad Pokhrel, said increased speed of the new EV is the positive aspect at a time when the traffic officers were complaining about the sluggish movement of the existing EVs.