Be it ramping up of hydropower projects adding to the country’s energy base, implementing ‘no-horn policy’ in Kathmandu, among others, Nepal is on pace for eco-friendly policies.

As a step ahead in the process, Nepal is also gearing up for early adoption of Electric Vehicles (EV) or green vehicles, which is in fact the high-priority task for most of the global nations.

Nepal’s former Finance Secretary Rameshore Khanal has some important information for us on Nepal’s willingness towards adoption of EVs.

“EVs will provide a measure of energy security for Nepal. As of now, the price of oil affects us in many ways, but when we switch to electric, the situation will be different,” says Khanal.

Khanal opines that the transition in Nepal for adoption of EVs will be quicker than in India.

“When there is disincentive to buy petrol-fueled cars, people will readily buy EVs. Whereas, in Nepal, there has been a voluntary adoption of EVs even when enough incentives are not in place,” he adds.

According to Khanal, Nepal has more charging stations per capita than India and has around 35 charging stations across the country.

Government Policies Can Take Ahead

According to Khanal, lack of standards and inadequate number of charging stations are two prime factors limiting EV adoption in Nepal.

The lack of proper governmental policies with regard to charging standard also remains another prime reason. “The government has not yet chosen the charging standard for electric cars. Government needs to choose one standard. This will encourage them to switch to EVs,” Khanal adds.

“With the right policies in place, we can achieve complete transition in 10 years. The transition for public vehicles will take longer but for private vehicles, we can do it in 10 years,” says Khanal.

Khanal further opined that there would be a day when petrol stations across the country will see a fall in business.

“So, my suggestion is that the government should make it mandatory for all petrol pumps in Nepal to set up a charging station for EVs. This will be a good investment as eventually, EVs will become the norm in Nepal,” he adds.

On a closing note, Khanal opines that the government should disincentivize the use of fossil fuel cars and should declare rural areas recently connected with the national road network and other areas like Singh Durbar, the administrative hub of the country, as ‘EV only zones’.

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Kathmandu-based Yeti Airlines is working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as part of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promotion programme under 2030 Agenda.

The partnership focuses on promotion of SDG-branding icons, creating awareness campaigns, concrete plans for the achievement of SDGs.

These aircraft will take the action plans related to SDGs and all the related messages to all parts of the country where aircraft provide a vital transport and connectivity.

According to UN, this partnership between UNDP and Yeti Airlines, in addition to the SDG-branded aircraft, includes the ‘Goals’ features on boarding passes and airport shuttle buses, information leaflets on sustainable development and social media campaigns along with a link on the airline’s website for donating to UNDP programmes in country.

“This is a powerful example to show the world that in partnership with the private sector, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development can really take off,” said Renaud Meyer, the UNDP Country Director for Nepal announcing the new aircraft livery.

He further lauded the initiative saying, ““We are very pleased to see these airplanes flying in Nepali skies, spreading messages on how we can tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges.”

More Such Campaigns in Pipeline

Apart from that, the partnership also intends to involve stakeholders and advocates in implementation process, create innovative and sustainable business models in the aviation and tourism industries, among others to help Nepal meet key SDG indicators related to climate change, gender equality and poverty reduction.

SDGs, adopted by UN Member States in 2015, allow partnerships with the private sector in mobilizing resources, technology and innovation to take forward the implementation of the SDG agenda.

“In Nepal, we have been exploring ways in which UN could help the local businesses grow more responsible and SDG-friendly,” said Mr. Meyer and also informed that more such joint initiatives will be implemented to help the country meet its 2030 agenda.

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