Energy Minister hold consultation to operate e-vehicles

KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal on Thursday held discussions with the officials of Sajha Yatayat to run e-vehicles in the Kathmandu Valley.

Visiting the office of Sajha Yatayat at Pulchowk in Lalitpur, Minister Bhusal took note about the infrastructures required for operation of e-vehicles. During the event, Bhusal said that she would take initiatives to identify appropriate options for the venue to establish a charging station.  

Bhusal said that e-vehicles should be operated in all municipalities across the country though plans are afoot to run e-vehicles in Kathmandu and Lalitpur metropolitan cities in the first phases.  She also urged the Sajha Yatayat to take the lead for the construction of required infrastructures to run e-vehicles. 

She was of the view that domestic raw materials would be used from the operation of e-vehicles, which would contribute to the country’s economic development. Minister Bhusal added that all technologies powered by petroleum products should be replaced for the cause of our economy as well.   

On a different note, the Energy Minister laid emphasis on increasing power consumption to reduce the trade deficit in the country while calling for a positive role from all sectors of the society for the same. 

On the occasion, Chair of Sajha Yatayat Kanakmani Dixit informed the minister about the status of e-vehicles procurement and establishment of charging stations.

In the first phase, e-vehicles should be run from the perspectives of public health, public transport system and economic expenses. 

He shared that processes for the e-vehicles procurement have been initiated and three buses would arrive in the Kathmandu Valley after four months.