Editorial»
Plugging in
APR 15 -
More electric vehicles can be an answer to Valley's air pollution
It is no secret that pollution is on the rise in Kathmandu, and with a burgeoning population, the streets are only getting more crowded. Along with a growing number of vehicles on the road comes increasing clouds of exhaust billowing out of their tailpipes, except from the up-and-coming breed of electric vehicles (EV). But in a quick scan of the vehicles that make up the traffic in the city, it seems that the number of clean-energy (Safa) tempos is slowly being overtaken by their emissions-producing, liquid petroleum gas powered counterparts and electric vehicles seem to be occupied strictly by employees of donor agencies, INGOs and foreign embassies.
In 1999, the government outlaw of diesel powered Vikram tempos from the Valley in conjunction with a waiver on 99 percent of the import duty accrued in purchasing the cleaner-burning petrol-powered tempos and three-fourths of the import duty on minivans ushered in a whole new fleet of public transportation. This vehicular revolution also gave rise to the popularity of emissions free Safa tempos that were introduced in the country just three years prior. After the initial purchase of a Safa tempo, it doesn’t take long for its owner to collect dividends as operational costs are much lower than their smoking equivalents. An estimated 650 electric vehicles now roam the streets of Kathmandu. But due to high tariffs on the parts needed to maintain the efficiency of these battery-powered vehicles as well as the inconsistent power supply needed to recharge exhausted batteries, it seems that a gradual transition to the LPG tempos is beginning to take place. A decade on since 1999, the government needs to take a similar initiative in a new context to promote the purchase of emission-free public transportation.
When electric vehicles were brought to Nepal in 2001, the import duty was a mere 10 percent. But since that time, the tax has exploded to 140 percent. Until this tax is lowered, electric vehicles will remain out of reach for the everyday consumer and will continue to be driven exclusively by the institutions offered an exemption from import taxes on vehicle purchases. Lowering duties on emission-free vehicles and their parts to encourage ‘clean’ means of transport could be an important first step in reducing pollution in the Valley.
Though Nepal’s greenhouse gas emissions are negligible on a global scale, the adverse health effects of air pollution on the people living in urban centres like Kathmandu are not something to be ignored. Tourists perhaps have a better idea of the level of air pollution in Kathmandu. Within two to three days of breathing in the Valley air, it is not unusual for many of them to come down with acute respiratory infections. With Nepal Tourism Year 2011 quickly approaching, this would be the right time to encourage and facilitate the greater use of electric vehicles — consistent power supply, if it could be afforded, would certainly help — including those that cater to an increasingly environmentally conscious breed of tourist. If the country can attract more tourists while it also cleans up its environment, all the better.
Posted on: 2010-04-16 08:40
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