What is the annual road tax for EVs in Nepal?

EVs get a 5-year road tax exemption from purchase date. After that, Bagmati Province rates are: up to 49 kW = Rs 5,000/yr, 50-125 kW = Rs 15,000/yr, 126-200 kW = Rs 20,000/yr, 201+ kW = Rs 30,000/yr.

How much does EV charging cost in Nepal?

Home charging costs Rs 8-12/kWh (NEA domestic rate). Public charging stations charge Rs 15-25/kWh. A full charge for a mid-range EV (45 kWh battery) costs Rs 400-550 at home.

What is EV insurance cost in Nepal?

EV third-party insurance is Rs 7,365-8,495/yr. Comprehensive insurance is ~0.84-1.12% of vehicle value. Battery Protection Cover costs Rs 5,000-15,000/yr extra and is highly recommended as standard policies may not cover battery damage.

How much does petrol cost in Nepal in 2026?

As of 2026, petrol costs approximately Rs 200/litre in Kathmandu. Prices are set by Nepal Oil Corporation and revised every 15 days based on international crude oil rates.

Cost Calculator

EV vs Petrol Car in Nepal, Which Costs Less?

BetaCost projections rely on assumptions you can tune below, they're guidance, not guarantees.

Pick two vehicles, adjust a few numbers, see the verdict instantly.

PETROL

Rs 19.1

per km

14.3 L

net cost over 5 years

ELECTRIC

Rs 4.3

per km

3.2 L

net cost over 5 years

EV saves 11.1 Lover 5yr · 75,000 km

Pure running costs only (no depreciation)

Include depreciation + servicing cost?

EVNews Nepal|evnewsnepal.com

Your Inputs

adjust these numbers to match your situation

Ownership Period

years

5 years

Distance Driven

km/year

15,000 km/year

Petrol / Diesel

Second hand? edit price below

Key Inputs

Vehicle Price

Rs 42.0L

Engine Capacity

1,200 cc

Real Mileage

km/L

14 km/L

Petrol Price

Rs/L

200 Rs/L

Electric Vehicle

Second hand? edit price below

Key Inputs

Vehicle Price

Rs 41.1L

Motor Power

70 kW

Efficiency

km/kWh

7 km/kWh

Home Electricity Rate

Rs/kWh

10 Rs/kWh

Detailed Results

how we got these numbers

Driving 75,000 km over 5 years, petrol burns Rs 10.7 Lakh in fuel versus Rs 1.3 Lakh in EV charging , Rs 9.4 Lakh saved on energy alone. EV also saves Rs 1.6 Lakh on service, tires and tax, bringing your net 5-year saving to Rs 11.1 Lakh.

Cumulative Cost Over Time

Petrol (ICE) Electric (EV)

Running Cost Breakdown (5 years)

Fuel / Charging

Petrol

10.7 L

1.3 L

Routine Servicing

Petrol

1.0 L

Rs 0

Part Replacements

Petrol

Rs 48,500

Rs 57,500

Road Tax & Fees

Petrol

1.3 L

Rs 0

Insurance

Petrol

Rs 42,475

Tires

Petrol

Rs 40,000

Rs 96,000

Part Replacements

Over 5 years

Petrol

Rs 48,500

Rs 57,500

Petrol (5 items)

Suspension (Shocks/Struts) Rs 25,000

12V Starter Battery Rs 12,000

AC Gas Recharge Rs 4,500

Coolant Flush Rs 3,000

Transmission Fluid Rs 4,000

EV (5 items)

12V Auxiliary Battery Rs 15,000

Suspension (Shocks/Struts) Rs 30,000

AC Gas Recharge Rs 4,500

Battery Coolant Flush Rs 5,000

Brake Caliper Cleaning Rs 3,000

Edit part costs in the Advanced Details panel above.

Depreciation & Resale Value

Include depreciation in total cost?

Value Lost (Depreciation)

Petrol

Rs 0

Petrol After 5yr

42.0 L

21.4 L

Lost 49%

EV After 5yr

41.1 L

15.8 L

Lost 62%

View detailed EV resale value data & trends →

Insurance Breakdown (Annual)

Petrol

Third-PartyRs 8,495

Total/yrRs 8,495

Third-PartyRs 8,495

Total/yrRs 8,495

Nepal-Specific Insights

Import Tax: ICE cars face ~200-250% tax on CIF price vs ~50-60% for EVs.
Road Tax: EVs get 5-year exemption, then 50% less than equivalent ICE.
EV Insurance: Battery Protection Cover (Rs 5-15K/yr) recommended. Nepal Insurance Authority drafting separate EV rules.
Fuel vs Electricity: EVs cost Rs 1.5-2.5/km vs Rs 12-18/km for petrol, roughly 7x cheaper.
Free Servicing: Most brands offer 2-5 years free. No oil, plugs, belts, or exhaust.
Battery Warranty: 8 years / 160,000 km typical. Replacement Rs 3-11 Lakh.

Petrol Vehicle Summary

Purchase Price42.0 L

Running Cost (5yr)14.3 L

Resale After 5yr21.4 L

Net Cost14.3 L

Electric Vehicle Summary

Purchase Price41.1 L

Running Cost (5yr)3.2 L

Resale After 5yr15.8 L

Net Cost3.2 L

How This Calculator Works

This EV vs Petrol cost calculator compares the total cost of ownership (TCO) of an electric vehicle and a petrol car in Nepal over your chosen ownership period. It factors in the purchase price, fuel or charging costs, annual road tax (Bagmati Province FY 2082/83 rates), mandatory third-party and comprehensive insurance, regular servicing, tire replacement, and depreciation, all pre-filled with current Nepal-specific rates that you can adjust to match your exact situation.

Nepal Vehicle Tax Slabs Used

Petrol Car Annual Road Tax (Bagmati)

Up to 1000cc	Rs 22,000
1001-1500cc	Rs 25,000
1501-2000cc	Rs 27,000
2001-2500cc	Rs 37,000
2501-3000cc	Rs 50,000
3001-3500cc	Rs 65,000
3501cc+	Rs 70,000

EV Annual Road Tax (Bagmati)

Up to 49 kW	Rs 5,000
50-125 kW	Rs 15,000
126-200 kW	Rs 20,000
201+ kW	Rs 30,000

EVs get a 5-year road tax exemption from purchase date, then 50% rebate.

Insurance Rates Used

Third-Party Insurance (Mandatory)

ICE: Up to 1000cc	Rs 7,365
ICE: 1001-1600cc	Rs 8,495
ICE: 1601cc+	Rs 10,747
EV: Below 20 kW	Rs 7,365
EV: 20+ kW	Rs 8,495

Comprehensive Insurance Rates

Below 1000cc: up to Rs 20L	0.84%
Below 1000cc: above Rs 20L	1.12%
1000-1600cc: up to Rs 20L	0.87%
1000-1600cc: above Rs 20L	1.12%
1600cc+: up to Rs 20L	0.90%
1600cc+: above Rs 20L	1.12%

+ Service charge: Rs 3,000-6,000 depending on CC. Per Motor Insurance Tariff Directive, 2073.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to own an EV or petrol car in Nepal?

Over 5 years, an EV saves approximately Rs 12 Lakh compared to a similar petrol car in Nepal. The main savings come from fuel (EVs cost Rs 1.5-2.5/km vs Rs 12-18/km for petrol), 5-year road tax exemption, lower maintenance (no oil changes, timing belts, spark plugs), and free servicing offered by most EV brands for 2-5 years.

What is the current petrol price in Nepal (2026)?

As of 2026, petrol costs approximately Rs 200/litre in Kathmandu. Diesel costs Rs 167/L. Prices are set by Nepal Oil Corporation and revised every 15 days based on international crude oil rates.

How much does it cost to charge an EV at home in Nepal?

Home charging costs Rs 8-12/kWh depending on your NEA electricity slab. A full charge for a mid-range EV (e.g. BYD Dolphin with 44.9 kWh battery) costs Rs 400-550 at home and gives 300+ km range. Public DC fast charging costs Rs 15-25/kWh.

Do EVs get road tax exemptions in Nepal?

Yes. EVs get a 5-year road tax exemption from purchase date. After that: Rs 5,000 (up to 49 kW), Rs 15,000 (50-125 kW), Rs 20,000 (126-200 kW), Rs 30,000 (201+ kW). Plus 50% registration fee reduction, zero renewal charge, and no pollution check.

What types of insurance do EVs need in Nepal?

Mandatory third-party insurance (Rs 7,365-8,495/yr). Optional: Comprehensive (0.84-1.12% of value), Battery Protection Cover (Rs 5,000-15,000/yr, highly recommended), Charging Equipment Cover, and EV Roadside Assistance.

How much does EV battery replacement cost in Nepal?

Rs 3 Lakh (MG Comet 17.3 kWh) to Rs 11 Lakh (Tata Nexon EV 30.2 kWh). Most manufacturers offer 8-year / 160,000 km warranty. Battery costs are decreasing annually.

Calculations are estimates based on current Nepal rates (petrol Rs 200/L, NEA electricity Rs 8-12/kWh, Bagmati Province taxes). Insurance rates follow the Motor Insurance Tariff Directive, 2073. Road tax rates from Bagmati Province FY 2082/83.