Kathmandu, Feb. 7 -- Electric vehicle (EV) imports to Nepal continued to decline in the first half of the current fiscal year despite growing demand among Nepali consumers, largely due to prolonged disruptions at key northern border points with China.

Nepal saw EV imports fall by 14.47 percent in the first six months of the fiscal year compared to the same period last year, according to the Department of Customs. The drop has been attributed mainly to the extended closure and irregular operation of northern trade routes.

During the review period, Nepal imported 5,698 units of EV buses, mini and microbuses, cars, jeeps and vans worth Rs14 billion. Imports of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles also declined. The country imported 2,...