KATHMANDU, April 21: The import of electric vehicles (EVs) has slowed down for the second month in a row.

According to the data of the Department of Customs, 658 units of EVs were imported in Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April) of the current fiscal year. Before the mid-term review of the budget, the import of EVs increased in Poush (mid-December to mid-January) and Magh (mid-January to mid-February). The import of EVs decreased in Falgun (mid-February to mid-March), but there has been a small rebound in Chaitra.

According to the Department of Customs, 7,093 units of EVs were imported in the nine months of the current year (mid-July-mid-March).

Last year, a total of 1,807 units of electric vehicles worth Rs 5.33 billion were imported. According to the Department of Customs, Rs 1.43 billion in revenue was collected from the import of the EVs.

The data from the Department of Customs shows that the import of electric vehicles has increased significantly in the current year. As of Chaitra, a total of 7,093 EVs, valued at Rs 17.49 billion, have been imported. This has generated Rs 7.78 billion in revenue from import duties and taxes.

This year, the majority of imported electric vehicles fall within the 51 to 100 kW range. According to the Department of Customs, 4,077 EVs with a combined value of Rs 11.47 billion were imported within this power capacity range.

A total of 2,902 electric vehicles with a capacity of up to 50 kW have been imported, with a combined value of Rs 5.40 billion. In addition, 93 electric vehicles in the 101 to 200 kW range, valued at Rs 468.83 million, were also imported. Likewise, 21 EVs with capacities between 201 and 300 kW, worth Rs 153.26 million, have been imported.

The numbers of EVs imported in nine months include; Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August): 110, Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September): 78, Ashoj (mid-September to mid-October): 1,237, Kartik (mid-October to mid-November): 652, Mangsir (mid-November to mid-December): 899, Poush (mid-December to mid-January): 1,421, Magh (mid-January to mid-February): 1,052, Falgun (mid-February to mid-March): 276, Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April): 658.