. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development Minister Kulman Ghising has said that electric charging stations would create employment for youths.

Minister Ghising said that since it takes some time to charge the vehicle at the electric charging station, hotels, restaurants, coffee shops can be opened in the vicinity of the passengers and this will create employment.

Inaugurating the charging stations operated by Change Digital in different parts of the country including Samakhusi of Kathmandu on Sunday, Minister Ghising stressed on the need of converting fuel-based vehicles to electric to reduce pollution and move Nepal towards green economy.

Saying that charging station is a good area of investment for business, it will have positive impact in country’s economy, adding that import of petroleum products could be reduced by increasing consumption in all sectors including households, industries, factories and other sectors. He added that the reduction in import would have positive impact on the country’s foreign exchange reserve and would have a huge contribution to the economy.

The government has been prioritizing the use of electric vehicles through various policies and plans. By 2030, the government aims to reach 90 percent of all private vehicles and 70 percent of public vehicles.

By 2035, this percentage will increase to 95 percent and 90 percent respectively. KATHMANDU: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has installed 62 charging stations in various parts of the country to promote the use of electric vehicles. There are about 800 charging stations in the private sector.

The Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) has been supporting the installation of charging stations through the Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund (AECF) based on the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support under the Central Renewable Energy Fund. The Centre has assisted 18 companies in setting up charging stations at 124 locations through 45 projects.

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