As the country is grappling with fuel crisis due to ongoing protests in Tarai districts, the electricity-based transport entrepreneurs, enthusiasts and users in Kathmandu Valley are coming together to highlight the importance of environment-friendly transport.

Electric Vehicle Association Nepal (Evan), Clean Energy Nepal (CEN), Cycle City Network Nepal (CCNN) and Electric Vehicle Importer and Manufacturer Nepal (Eviman) are organising an electric vehicle and cycle rally at 9am on Tuesday, starting from Nepal Airlines Corporation at New Road and ending at Trolley bus station in Baneshwor.

Releasing a press statement on Monday, Eva said the increasing demand of petroleum and fossil fuels to meet the need of the transportation sector, rising prices and increasing dependence on imported fuel have negative impact on the overall economy of the country. The acute fuel crisis that is taking place more frequently in the recent times has compounded the woes of public, it added.

“So it is high time that the concerned authorities invested in alternative and clean energy-based transport system to develop transportation sector in a sustainable manner,” said Umesh Raj Shrestha, Evan chairperson.

The entrepreneurs have further demanded the government to cut 10 percent excise duty on batteries used by electric vehicles, implement the Environment-friendly Vehicle and Transport Policy 2014, priortise and promote the use of electric-based transport means such as bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, rickshaw, microbus, minibus and bus among others.

It has also urged the authorities to create favorable environment to manufacture and register electric vehicles and provide a dedicated route for its smooth operation.

The government has priortised favourable policies and programmes for the fiscal year 2015-2016 to promote the use of environment-friendly vehicles. It has included policies and programmes aimed at adding a considerable number of electric vehicles over the next five years. According to the plan, 20 percent of the vehicles in the country would either be electric or hybrid by the year 2020.