The Korala border point in Upper Mustang has officially commenced operations as an alternative route for trade, following the disruption of Rasuwa and Tatopani routes due to floods and landslides. Since its opening on Monday, the crossing has seen a significant influx of electric vehicles (EVs) entering Nepal, with 151 EVs currently awaiting customs clearance.
According to the Nhechung Customs Office, the majority of the EVs belong to renowned brands such as BYD and Omoda & Jaecoo. In addition to EVs, seasonal goods like clothing, electronics, and cosmetics are also being transported via the Korala route, with around 70-80 medium containers reaching the border point by road. Chief District Officer Vishnu Prasad Bhusal stated that over 100 EVs have entered Nepal within just eight days of the Korala route being opened.
Although the Korala border has provided much-needed relief for automobile importers ahead of the Dashain festive season, challenges such as long distances, higher logistics costs, and limited charging infrastructure persist. To address these issues, importers are preparing temporary charging stations along the route, as EVs cannot yet drive directly to showrooms. SPG Automobiles, the official distributor of Omoda & Jaecoo in Nepal, has set up a charging station in Tsarang, Mustang, to support operations.
The government opened the Korala route to ensure the uninterrupted supply of essential goods during the festive season, despite the route being longer and more remote from the capital. The Korala border point has thus become a vital alternative route for trade, facilitating the importation of EVs and seasonal goods into Nepal. As the demand for EVs continues to rise, the establishment of temporary charging stations and infrastructure development will be crucial to support the growing number of electric vehicles in the country.
Nepal's Korala border point has officially opened as an alternative trade route due to floods and landslides halting trade through Rasuwa and Tatopani, with over 100 electric vehicles entering the country within eight days of its operation. The new route is being used to import essential goods, including electric vehicles from brands like BYD and Omoda & Jaecoo, ahead of the festive season, with around 151 EVs currently awaiting customs clearance. Despite providing relief to automobile importers, the Korala border route poses challenges such as long distances, higher logistics costs, and limited charging infrastructure, prompting importers to set up temporary charging stations along the route, including a charging station in Tsarang, Mustang, set up by SPG Automobiles.