KATHMANDU, APRIL 21
Nepal Academy of Science and Technology has developed an electric scooter in collaboration with Lumbini government.
The preliminary version of the eco-friendly two-wheeler was launched by the Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal at a programme here today.
The innovation is viewed as significant at a time when the entire world is searching for alternatives to fossil fuels bearing in mind its negative consequences on the environment, depleting reserves and skyrocketing prices. The innovation is claimed to be appropriate in terms of roadways in Nepal and its topography.
On the occasion, Minister Bhusal urged NAST to seek response from the government whether the country needs to introduce internationally available technology or develop a homegrown technology for automotive industry. She urged NAST to explore if it was possible to store power in the country.
She hoped that the skyrocketing prices of petroleum products in the global market could contribute to building a favourable atmosphere for promotion of electric vehicles. She took time to share that electricity surpluses from domestic production could be exported to India and Bangladesh.
Similarly, NAST Vice Chancellor Sunil Babu Shrestha said the innovation of the electric scooter from the government level had somehow helped prove wrong the notion that most academics in the country had failed to deliver research-based results. "This achievement has paved the way for commercial production of electric scooters within the country," he said.
It may be noted that electric vehicles covering 1,000 kilometres on a single full charge are available in the international market. Nepal's neighbours India and China have already made significant progress in innovation and manufacturing of electric vehicles.
Electric vehicles of different models are not new for the roads in Nepal.
Chief of technology faculty of NAST and Chief of Electric Scooter Design Programme Rabindra Dhakal said an electric scooter suitable for Nepali terrain had been developed and the scooter was capable of being commercially produced.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 22, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
