Newly appointed Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Kulman Ghising, has formed a task force to provide recommendations on converting fuel-powered vehicles to electric. The minister has given the task force a strict seven-day deadline to submit their report.

Taking office on Monday, Minister Ghising emphasized the need to increase electricity consumption by transitioning vehicles from petrol, diesel, and gas to electric power. He highlighted that the ongoing electrification of transport requires supporting infrastructure to maximize efficiency and environmental benefits.

“Electricity is available in our country. There may be technical and managerial challenges, but they must be addressed. Importing petrol, diesel, and gas should be reduced. This will save foreign currency and simultaneously increase electricity consumption, which will have a significant impact on climate change,” Minister Ghising said.

He added that electrifying transportation and cooking systems will resolve multiple national issues and that old vehicles should also be converted to electric. Public transport, he noted, must transition to electric vehicles. “Tell me what needs to be coordinated and where. I want the report in seven days. This is not about preparing a report for the sake of reporting; it is about actionable solutions,” he stressed.

The minister further called for a nationwide focus on running all systems - industries, factories, and vehicles - on electricity. “Whatever we plan, we must design it with electricity as the main source of power,” he added.

This initiative marks one of the first steps in Nepal’s larger push toward sustainable energy use and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.