Nepal Automobile Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) and NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal have said that their attention has been drawn to the comments, discussions and interpretations being made about the motor capacity of electric vehicles (EVs) in Nepal through various media in recent times.

The issue was raised by NAIMA in a statement issued by NAIMA earlier in discussions with the Minister of Finance, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, among others. ‘We were of the view that a clear, practical and uniform system is needed regarding EV motor capacity testing, certification and technical evaluation,’ NAIMA said.

NADA notes that electric vehicles are imported into Nepal only on the basis of official details, testing and certification processes issued by nationally and internationally recognized testing agencies. NAIMA also clearly states that it is a common international practice in the global automobile industry for vehicles of the same model to be produced with different technical specifications according to different countries, regulatory structures and market needs. 'Drawing conclusions about motor capacity based solely on the details seen on the website, model name or external information cannot be considered a technically reliable basis,' NAIMA has said.

NADA has also expressed concern that creating doubts, spreading confusion and unfounded publicity about imported vehicles without sufficient facts and official basis after completing legal, technical and institutional processes will lose credibility towards the entire electric vehicle industry. 'EV entrepreneurs in Nepal are doing business in a transparent and responsible manner by fully complying with the prevailing laws, tax and customs regulations,' NAIMA has said.