Government To Allow Conversion Of ICE Vehicles Into Electric Or Other Alternative Fuel vehicles

The government has finally decided to allow petrol and diesel vehicles to be converted into electric or other alternative fuel vehicles. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has decided to give a three-year exemption for environment-friendly or energy-efficient modifications of the fuel system.There was a provision in the existing Vehicle and Transportation Management Act 2049 BS that if the form of the vehicle in operation or any other change had to be changed, approval had to be obtained from the Transport Office. There was a legal provision to charge 50 percent of the registration fee for such approval.  It was due to this provision, that fuel-powered vehicle could not be converted to electric in Nepal till now.However, the government, using the special powers conferred by the same Article, has made provision in Article 39 (1) that 'Vehicles should not be altered without permission: Vehicle owner should not alter the color, number of seats, appearance, engine or chassis of the vehicle without the approval of the authorized officer'. However, it has been decided to give exemption in the case of environment-friendly or energy-efficient vehicles.Article 39 (2) provides that the authorized officer may, after making necessary inquiries, approve the manipulation and deem it appropriate. Such approval can now be easily converted by the interested owners if they want to convert old vehicles powered by fuel into electric vehicles.However, the Ministry of Transport is yet to begin the registration process for centres for retrofitting old diesel and petrol vehicles with electric kits to convert them into e-vehicles.Watch this space for more updates.Cover photo for reference only. Photo courtesy: The Economic Times