Nepal’s EV boom is fueling an e-waste crisis the government isn’t ready for
Summary
Nepal is experiencing rapid growth in electric vehicle imports, but the government lacks a strategy for managing the resulting electronic waste, raising environmental and public health concerns.
Key Points
- Electric vehicle imports in Nepal have surged significantly in the past five years, reaching 44,509 units in FY 2024/25.
- The government promotes EV adoption but has not formulated strategies for managing electronic waste from obsolete EV batteries and parts.
- Electronic waste in Nepal is increasing rapidly, with the Kathmandu Valley producing about 18 million kilograms, but no official e-waste recycling centers exist.
- Existing laws in Nepal do not adequately address electronic waste management, though some policy efforts and bills have been made but remain unimplemented.
