The Nepal Electric Vehicle (EV) and Nepal Power Light and Electronics Exhibition kicked off in Kathmandu on Friday to raise awareness and educate consumers about EV and electronic appliances as well as to boost the consumption of electricity-powered vehicles and appliances.

Inaugurating the three-day event, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet said that the government had adopted the policy and taken forward the policy and program to promote use of EVs and other electronic appliances.

Stating that Nepal was gradually becoming self-sufficient in electricity, Minister Basnet said that the incumbent government was effortful towards the development and promotion of the energy sector with long-term visions.

He said that a new electricity related Bill was going to be tabled in the Federal Parliament for timely development of the energy sector. According to him, the government was also working towards installing altogether 500 charging stations all over the country for promotion of EVs.

At present, 50 charging stations built by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) are in operation except for some due to technical glitch.

The minister asserted that there was an increasing need to expand the clean energy's access to offset the effects emanating from climate change and acknowledging this, he added, the government had set its target in the same direction.

The inaugural was marked by the presence of NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising, Alternative Energy Promotion Center officials and representatives of the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu among others.

Over 100 stalls set up by the Nepal Power, Light and Electronic, Nepal Consumer Electronics and Home Appliances and Nepal EV among others will showcase charging stations, households wiring and electric goods, two-wheeler and four-wheeler EVs, electric cycles and consumer electronic goods and equipment.

The exhibition is jointly organized by Media Space Solutions, Futurex Trade and Events Pvt Ltd, the Exhibition and Trade Services India Pvt Ltd and Electric Vehicle Manufacturers and Importers Association of Nepal.

Co-organizers of the event are the NEA and the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre.