Nepal’s First Locally Assembled 14-Seater EV to Hit Kathmandu Roads

4th January 2026, Kathmandu

In a landmark achievement for the Nepalese automotive industry, Sundar Auto Engineer Pvt. Ltd. is set to unveil the country’s first locally assembled 14-seater electric vehicle (EV).

Nepal’s First Assembled 14-Seater EV

Designed specifically for public transportation, this four-wheeled EV marks a significant shift toward sustainable urban mobility in Nepal.

According to Bhesh Thapa, Chairman of Sundar Auto, the vehicle will undergo road tests in Kathmandu within the coming week before being submitted to the Department of Transport Management for official registration.

Engineering a Domestic Solution

While many EVs in Nepal are fully imported, Sundar Auto has taken a “Made in Nepal” approach by sourcing more than 60 percent of its components locally. The remaining specialized parts are imported from manufacturing hubs in India and China.

The project is the result of years of research and international study visits, building on the company’s legacy of operating Nepalese public bus services since 2076 BS and establishing the nation’s first dedicated EV charging station.

Technical Specifications & Features

The new 14-seater is engineered to handle the unique topography of Kathmandu and other major urban centers:

Overcoming Policy Hurdles

Despite the technical success, Chairman Thapa highlighted that the path to large-scale EV manufacturing in Nepal remains steep due to regulatory “roadblocks.”

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“Outdated laws and rigid regulations are the biggest challenges. We face multiple taxes and limited production timelines that discourage long-term investment.” Bhesh Thapa, Chairman.

Currently, Nepalese law only permits EV production for a three-year window, a policy Thapa argues is impractical for investors pouring millions into infrastructure. He called for a modernization of the legal framework to support domestic innovators and reduce the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.

A Greener Future for Urban Commuting

The introduction of these 14-seater EVs aims to:

Alleviate Traffic Congestion: Replacing smaller, inefficient vehicles with high-capacity EVs.

Reduce Pollution: Leveraging Nepal’s clean hydroelectricity to power public transit.

Enhance Safety: Transitioning from three-wheeled “tempos” to structured, safer four-wheeled vehicles.

The final pricing of the vehicle will be announced following the completion of government testing and certification.

For more: Nepal’s First Assembled 14-Seater EV