SOLUTIONSplus Electrifies Kathmandu: Advancing Sustainable Public Transport in Nepal

Exciting news from the EU-funded SOLUTIONSplus in Kathmandu!

Thrilled to share key moments from an incredible SOLUTIONSplus Asia event on Electrifying public transport in Nepal: Highlights on Bus conversion and light electric vehicles, held on April 24th, 2024 in Kathmandu! Organized by Sajha Yatayat in collaboration with Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy / Urban Living Lab Center, Clean Air Asia, Urban Electric Mobility Initiative and DTU - Technical University of Denmark (DTU).

Opening speeches by Arnico Panday, a member of the National Planning Commission; Simon Heinkele from the German Embassy; and Kanak Mani Dixit from Sajha Yatayat highlighted the urgent need for transitioning to EVs for public transportation in Nepal, emphasizing energy security, clean air, and public health concerns.

The workshop disseminated SOLUTIONSplus activities in Kathmandu (by Shritu Shrestha from Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy), including the outcome of the impact assessment of local prototypes (by George Panagakos from DTU) and technical considerations of EV prototypes, such as the conversion of diesel buses to E-buses (by Janak Risal from Sajha Yatayat and Abhisek Karki from UEMI). An overview of other key initiatives for public transportation in Nepal, including e-mobility programs from GIZ and GGGI (MAF program), ADB, World Bank, and JICA, was also presented.

Moderated by Bhushan Tuladhar (from USAID/ Sajha Yatayat), the panel discussion with highly esteemed speakers from the mayor of Lalitpur Municipality and representatives from the Department of Transport Management, Kathmandu Municipality, Nabil Bank, and the Federation of Nepalese National Transport Entrepreneurs emphasized the need for supportive policies, infrastructure development, and financing mechanisms to promote EV adoption in Nepal, highlighting the importance of collaboration between government, private sector, and development partners to overcome challenges and drive sustainable transportation solutions.

The event concluded with a showcase of the first-of-its kind prototype of a converted diesel bus to electric, followed by a successful test run with more than 40 passengers, and the conversion of a mini-truck to electric.