The Fiscal Year 2082/83 (2025/26) budget has revised Nepal’s electric vehicle tax slabs, increasing customs and excise duties on lower‑power electric cars while keeping VAT steady at 13%. EVs are now taxed by motor peak power (kW) instead of engine cc.
For electric cars, the latest slab structure is: - Up to 50 kW: 15% customs duty, 5% excise duty, 13% VAT, 5% road development fee - 51–100 kW: 20% customs duty, 15% excise duty, 13% VAT, 5% road development fee - 101–200 kW: 30% customs duty, 20% excise duty, 13% VAT, 5% road development fee - 201–300 kW: 60% customs duty, 35% excise duty, 13% VAT, 5% road development fee - Above 300 kW: 80% customs duty, 50% excise duty, 13% VAT, 5% road development fee
These rates represent a hike on entry‑level and mid‑range EVs compared to the earlier structure, where up to 50 kW EVs were charged 10% customs duty and 51–100 kW cars paid 15% customs duty.
How this affects popular entry EVs
The higher customs and excise burden has translated into a rough price increase of about Rs 1.5–4 lakh on many mainstream electric hatchbacks and compact crossovers.
MG Comet: now MG’s most affordable four‑wheeler EV
The MG Comet is currently the most accessible MG car in Nepal, with ex‑showroom prices between Rs 18.75 lakh and Rs 22.74 lakh across four variants. - Pace: Rs 18.75 lakh - Executive: Rs 19.99 lakh - Play: Rs 21.50 lakh - Excite: Rs 22.74 lakh
In MG’s local range, the Comet sits well below the larger, more powerful MG Windsor. Kuzu Nepal has not announced a price for this variant in the provided sources. It also sits below the MG MG4, MG MGS5 EV, MG Astor and MG ZS EV; Kuzu Nepal has not announced prices for these models in the provided sources. That positioning makes it MG’s entry point into four‑wheeler ownership, but buyers should expect its final on‑road price to reflect the 15–20% customs plus excise combination applicable to its motor power band.
BYD Dolphin: entry into BYD’s hatch segment
The BYD Dolphin covers a wide price band in Nepal, with ex‑showroom prices from Rs 30.75 lakh to Rs 58.90 lakh across four variants. - Dynamic 2026 Facelift: Rs 30.75 lakh - Premium 2026 Facelift: Rs 34.80 lakh - Standard Range: Rs 41.15 lakh - Standard: Rs 58.90 lakh
Within BYD’s line‑up, the two facelifted entry variants match the BYD ATTO 1 at Rs 30.75–34.80 lakh. Kuzu Nepal has not announced a price for the BYD Atto 2 EV in the provided sources. The top Dolphin Standard at Rs 58.90 lakh sits just under the BYD M6 at Rs 55–58.90 lakh and below the BYD E6 at Rs 59 lakh, and inside the broader BYD Atto 3 band of Rs 52.99–78 lakh.
Because the Dolphin’s different variants span motor outputs that cross the 51–100 kW and 101–200 kW bands, buyers will see higher duty and excise combinations (20%+15% or 30%+20%) on the mid and upper variants compared with earlier years.
Tata Tiago EV: entry electric alongside Punch and Tigor EV
The **Tata Tiago EV is positioned as Tata’s most affordable electric car in Nepal, with ex‑showroom prices between Rs 28.99 lakh and Rs 29.99 lakh. - Pure +24: Rs 28.99 lakh - Creative +24: Rs 29.99 lakh**
In Tata’s current range, the Tiago EV now lines up directly with the Tata Tigor EV priced at Rs 29.99–34 lakh, and just under the Tata Punch EV at Rs 33.99–37.99 lakh. It also overlaps the Tata Punch (Rs 29.99–45.49 lakh), while sitting above the petrol Tata Tiago at Rs 24.99–36.99 lakh and alongside the Tata Tigor at Rs 31.99–41.49 lakh.
Given its compact size and motor output, the Tiago EV falls into the up to 50 kW or 51–100 kW bracket, meaning buyers face 15% customs plus 5% excise (or 20%+15% for higher‑power variants) on top of VAT and road fee when calculating on‑road cost.
Two‑wheelers still get stronger incentives
While car taxes have risen in the lower kW bands, electric scooters and bikes continue to enjoy lighter tax treatment, as part of the policy push for cleaner, congestion‑friendly urban mobility.
What buyers should keep in mind
- EV car taxes in 2082/83 are tied to motor power, not battery size or price.
- Entry and mid‑power EVs (up to 100 kW) now carry higher customs and excise duties than in previous years, pushing ex‑showroom prices up by around Rs 1.5–4 lakh on popular models.
- VAT remains at 13% for all EV categories, and a 5% road development fee applies on top.
Tax slabs can be changed again in future budgets, so buyers should confirm the latest rates with official customs schedules or authorized dealers when finalizing a purchase.
Writes on vehicle pricing, taxation and the Nepali auto market from ongoing tracking of distributor price lists. Every price in this piece is read live from the Nepal AutoMart catalog — how we verify prices.
