Government Seeks Suggestions for Hydrogen Vehicle Policy

Kathmandu. The government has sought suggestions with the objective of developing, operating, and regulating safe, sustainable, and effective hydrogen-based vehicles through necessary policy arrangements.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development has invited suggestions for preparing the legal and technical basis, international best practices, regulatory arrangements, safety standards and guidelines, and the possibility of transformation in hydrogen technology and necessary human resource development.

Universities, research institutions, professional bodies, industries, development partners, international organizations, and concerned stakeholders can provide suggestions. Similarly, written suggestions can be provided based on their experience, study, research, and practical practice.

The ministry has urged for the presentation of international best practices and learnings related to hydrogen-based vehicles. Suggestions related to policy, legal, and regulatory arrangements, production, storage, transportation, distribution, refueling infrastructure, and safety standards and guidelines related to vehicle operation can be provided.

The ministry has requested stakeholders to provide suggestions regarding the possibility of transforming currently operating vehicles to hydrogen technology, technological requirements, costs, safety, and regulatory aspects.

Similarly, suggestions related to necessary capacity building and human resource development, including technical manpower, regulatory bodies, rescue, and emergency services, can be provided.

The ministry has clarified that the suggestions received by the ministry will be used as needed in the process of formulating policies, legal arrangements, standards, and procedures related to hydrogen-based vehicles after necessary study and analysis. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure expects the necessary suggestions by July 20.

The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation had prepared the Green Hydrogen Policy in 2080 BS. Kathmandu University has been studying its necessity and possibilities by establishing a Green Hydrogen Laboratory since 2077 BS.

The budget speech for the fiscal year 2079/80 mentioned in point no. 257, 'Necessary work will be initiated to commercially utilize hydrogen energy in a way that can contribute to Nepal's fuel and energy consumption and the overall development of the transport and industrial sectors.'

In the same budget speech, point no. 36 included the matter of advancing work through the Investment Board to establish a chemical fertilizer factory using green hydrogen and green ammonia technology. Based on that provision, the Ministry of Energy had prepared the Green Hydrogen Policy.