EV Owners Struggle With Limited Charging Stations in Kathmandu

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly common in Kathmandu, but many owners say the city’s charging infrastructure has not grown at the same pace. Although Nepal has installed more than 1,500 EV-charging stations nationwide, only a limited share of them are located inside Kathmandu Valley. Energy officials acknowledge that while the number looks impressive overall, the distribution is uneven, leaving busy and densely populated parts of the valley with inadequate access to reliable charging facilities. As EV adoption rises quickly due to tax incentives and growing environmental awareness, riders say the city is struggling to keep up with the demand for convenient charging locations.

Many EV owners report that finding an available charger during rush hours has become a daily challenge. Even though more than 20 new charging stations have been added in Bagmati Province through a donor-supported project, users argue that Kathmandu still lacks enough fast-charging points in high-traffic areas such as Koteshwor, Kalanki, New Baneshwor, and Gongabu. “It looks like EVs are everywhere, but the charging stations are not,” said an EV scooter owner from Koteshwor, adding that he often waits up to an hour just to begin charging. Riders say long queues, slow charging speeds, and limited capacity mean they must plan their trips around uncertain charging availability, which often disrupts their daily routines.

The situation is further complicated by inconsistent service at many privately operated charging stations across the valley. While some provide reliable charging, several others experience voltage fluctuations, slow charging times, or unexpected closures without any prior notice. EV taxi and bus operators say such unpredictable conditions frequently delay their schedules and reduce their ability to provide timely service to passengers. For operators who rely on quick turnarounds to maintain their livelihood, these delays become costly and discourage wider adoption of electric public transport.

Experts point out that Nepal’s policies have strongly encouraged EV imports, but infrastructure development has not kept pace with the surge in new vehicles. They warn that without a significant expansion of high-capacity, publicly accessible charging hubs in key urban locations, Kathmandu’s transition toward electric mobility could slow down. Urban planners say a long-term strategy is needed, including integrating charging stations into parking spaces, commercial zones, and residential areas to ensure that EVs can be charged conveniently across the city.

Despite these concerns, environmental groups remain optimistic. They emphasize that Nepal’s growing hydropower capacity and stable electricity supply give the country a strong foundation for building a sustainable, electric transport system. With proper investment and improved planning, they believe Kathmandu has the potential to become one of South Asia’s leading electric-mobility cities.

For now, EV users say they remain committed to cleaner transportation but hope that government agencies, private companies, and development partners will work together to improve the charging network. They believe that strengthening and expanding reliable charging facilities across Kathmandu is essential for supporting the city’s rapidly rising interest in electric vehicles.