Electric cars expanding the market

Increased tax on electric vehicles, thus increasing the price

The government has a policy to increase electricity consumption at a higher rate in the coming fiscal year. For that, the government has a plan to promote electric vehicles. However, the budget has undermined its own plan by raising taxes on electric vehicles.

In the budget for the coming fiscal year 2077/078 presented in the parliament on Thursday, the customs and excise rates for importing electric vehicles have been increased extensively. This will make jeeps and cars more expensive than buses with electric motors.

The government plans to impose up to 80 percent customs duty on all types of electric cars. In the case of three-wheeled electric vehicles, only 30 percent customs duty has been fixed. However, 50 percent discount has been provided in it, so 40 percent customs duty has to be paid while supplying.

The government has brought a budget bill to impose excise duty of 5 to 80 percent on electric vehicles depending on the capacity of the motor.

The government has decided to levy 80 percent customs duty on electric cars brought for private use.

Earlier, the government was levying 10 percent excise duty, 13 percent VAT and 4 percent road tax on the purchase price. As the government has given duty exemption on electric cars, the buyers of electric vehicles have been attracting more and more.

Earlier, the excise duty on electric cars imported from 10 percent has been increased to 80 percent. Jeeps and cars with 50 to 100 kW motors will be subject to 30 percent excise duty.

Vehicles with 100 to 150 kW motor will be charged 50 percent excise duty on vehicles with 40,150 to 200 kW motor and vehicles with 200 to 300 kW motor will be charged 60 percent excise duty. If the pick-up of the car is more than 300 watts, 70 percent excise duty will be levied.

The government will impose only 5 percent excise duty on vehicles with more than 25 seats. The excise duty on electric buses of smaller capacity is up to 55 percent. The government has also increased the road toll from 1 percent to 5 percent this time.

How does the price of an electric car increase?

Let's look at an example of how the price of an electric car currently being sold in Nepal for Rs 10 million is increasing. An electric car worth Rs 10 million in Nepal is now bought in foreign markets for  49,000. Based on today's exchange rate, its value in the company is Rs 7.252 million.

Now, according to the tax rate brought by the government, 80 percent customs duty is levied on it. In other words, it now costs Rs 58 lakh 1 thousand. However, as half of the exemption has been given, Rs 2.9 million will be added to the customs.

An additional 60 percent excise duty is also charged. That is, now the value of Rs 43.51 million is added to it. Accordingly, the value of this vehicle can reach Rs 14.5 million after paying customs excise duty. Adding 5 percent road toll to this price adds Rs 725,000. Besides, 13 percent VAT should also be added. Accordingly, 1.835 million VAT is added. By the time the price of this vehicle crosses the customs point, about 17 million 62 thousand importers can have spent it.

If 20 percent profit is kept in it, the value will be maintained only by adding 3.4 million 12 thousand. That is, an electric car bought abroad for Rs 7.2 million can be sold in Nepal for only Rs 20.5 million.

Electric cars expanding the market

President Vidyadevi Bhandari, Minister for Energy Barshaman Pun, Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority Kulman Ghising and others have been using electric vehicles.

It has been months since Minister Pun left Toyota's petrol car and started riding in the Chinese brand BYD E-Six model car. After him, President Bhandari has also started using the same model car worth Rs 6.6 million.

Not only these high-ranking officials but also the general public are showing interest in electric vehicles today. Sahil Shrestha, Chief Executive Officer of BYD Auto Industries, said that electric vehicles (EVs) have become the choice of many as they do not have to pay taxes annually, do not have petroleum problems and are environmentally friendly.

"Adding maintenance, taxes and fuel costs saves millions of rupees," he said. "It only costs a rupee to run a kilometer on an EV." According to him, electric vehicles have not been able to produce with great results.

He said that due to limited battery production, such vehicles could not be distributed in the world as per the demand. Hyundai sells two models of electric cars in Nepal, Kona and Ionic. Bhatta informed that 44 vehicles have been sold so far.

"Hyundai is all set to launch a new model of e-vehicle," he said, adding that "there is a growing demand for such vehicles as people become more environmentally conscious." We launched Kona last January with 40 units booked in a single week. We have sold it all. 'Hyundai's Kona costs Rs 5.59 million and Ionic costs Rs 5.196 million. BYD is unveiling a new E3 model car in a few months. Shrestha also informed that e-bus is also being brought.

Mahindra, Tata, Kia brand electric cars can be bought in Nepal. Apart from this, cars of brands like Haoyu, Dehi, J Star are also available. They range in price from Rs 1.6 million to Rs 6.6 million. Among them, Mahindra's models like Reva and Verito are the most sold. Mahindra has so far sold about 600 electric cars, while Dehi has sold 10, Hao 4 and J Star 4. Banks provide up to 80 percent auto loans to those who buy electric vehicles.

The number of electric cars in Nepal is now around one thousand, said Umesh Raj Shrestha, president of the Electric Vehicles Association. According to him, there are 3500 to 4000 e-scooters, 4000 tricycles and 750 clean tempos in the country.

"Ten years ago today, the Navy Company introduced electric brand electric cars," he said. There are not enough choices to make.

He said that he was getting the car of his choice as there was no variety of vehicles. "Is it cheap, expensive or mid-range vehicles?" He said. "There is not enough diversity."

Charging station not reached

The electric vehicle has to be charged just as the internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle needs fuel. Now electric car companies have set up their own charging stations in various locations. BYD has 12 fast charging stations inside Kathmandu and 3 outside the Kathmandu Valley. Nepal Electricity Authority has also set up charging stations at Ratna Park and Singha Durbar.

"It would have been easier to have a charging station every 30-40 kilometers," said Sitaram Dahal of Budhanilkantha, who runs Mahindra's Verito. Hesitant sellers have experience.

Shrestha of the Electric Vehicles Association does not consider charging stations to be a big problem. According to him, if the government provides land and electricity in some major places like Muglin, Bardibas and Narayanghat, companies can easily build stations by placing charging piles. "The government's environment-friendly transport policy plans to make 20 percent of vehicles electric by 2020," he said. The government is bringing in big diesel-powered vehicles. '

Shrestha said that the government should be more serious for the promotion of electric vehicles. He said that not only cars but also e-scooters and public electric vehicles need to be promoted. "In order to reduce pollution by reducing the consumption of fossil fuels, the government should place special emphasis on the promotion of public electric vehicles," he said. "The promotion of private vehicles alone is not enough."

How to make money online in lockdown

Many kinds of work can be done through the internet in one corner of the world and in another. 

This is called IT outsourcing, online freelancing, offshore development. With the recent outbreak of the corona virus, the number of users of 'work from home', online classes, video conferencing, Google Meet and Zoom has increased. Zoom is gaining popularity these days. The number of daily zoom users was 10 million in December 2019 and has reached 200 million by March 2020.

Educational institutions are also conducting classes online. Lately, various IT companies in Nepal have been outsourcing online freelancing and IT team. From Nepal's point of view, most of those who have taken IT education seem to be engaged in outsourcing, but if we look at developed countries as well as neighboring countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, those who have taken IT education as well as others have done a lot of work online.

Freelancing online with some practical knowledge according to your attachment, housewives and leisurely people can make a good income by working online by making good use of their time.

What can be done online?

Many things can be done online from home. Graphics designing, ghost writing, translating English to Nepali, business plan, thesis typing, online live chat agent of any organization, online support, digital media planner, image clipping, image processing, voice recording etc. .

Converting from voice to text, video animation, logo designing, visiting cards, AutoCAD designing, interior designing, banner making, website content creation, product cover designing, product banner making, posting on Facebook, Instagram, Or create bio data, earn some money online by teaching some lessons online.

Where to take the course?

Online courses can be taken through Ivarsity, CourseAra, Eudemi, Udacity, Code Academy, Block, Skill Share etc.

Websites like YouTube, Vivo, etc. have a lot of easy-to-learn videos. You can also learn through online reference, guide book, ebook, tutorial etc.

You can even get a certificate by identifying your needs and working. Google has been offering certificates to its various programs for free, including online exams, which must be renewed every year.

Where to find work online?

odesk.com, elance.com merged in 2015 to become upwork.com. Which connects those who work and those who work online in a variety of ways. It works to resolve disputes between two parties through upwork.com.

Freework can be done through websites like upwork.com Freelancer, 99 Design, Guru, Taptal, Credo, Popular Hour, Design Crowd. Some of the work that can be done online can be done on an hourly basis or on a project basis.

How to get paid?

Payments for work done online can be brought to your online payment account through various online payment gateways such as PayPal, Skrill, Two Check Out, Authorize.net, Stripe.

Also, such freelancing websites in conjunction with companies like Payner etc. send their customized cards to any corner of the world by courier after crossing some income or level.

He has not come to Nepal legally. PayPal, an online payment company, was founded in 1998 and has more than 305 million customers worldwide in 2019.

Network friends in lockdown

The growing use of social media and technology has at times raised concerns about the growing distance between people. Some even found it satirical on social media. A 2018 Australian Loneliness Survey also found that a quarter felt lonely three or more days a week. One of the main reasons for feeling lonely was the excessive use of social media.

Even in Nepal, some analysts have been interpreting social media as a means of isolating people. The adjective social media, used as a means to increase distance between families living under the same roof, has now changed. And, at the same time, social media has become a friend of the user as a connecting link rather than a disconnect.

In order to prevent the spread of Corona infection all over the world, the government launched a crackdown in Nepal from March 25. Due to the lockdown, the roads from the city to the villages are deserted. Except for the essentials, the doors of most institutions and offices are closed. Physical distance with friends and relatives who meet regularly is far away. How are people confined to their homes or rooms? At this time, online technology or social media has become a close friend of most people. Through social media including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram, he is active in his regular work, contact with friends and relatives, discussions and creative campaigns.

Creative programs online

Poet Shravan Mukharung chose social media as a suitable alternative after being locked inside the room after the lockdown. He thought that he should play a creative role when people were frustrated by frustration and negative news. As soon as the plan was finalized, poet Mukharung launched a series titled 'Poems from Quarantine'. Every day through Facebook, he comes live with local and foreign poems and recites them in a beautiful rhythm. The number of people listening and following the poem he recited on Facebook is increasing.

Poet Mukharung says that there is a 'positive vibration' when sharing creations while in bondage. "Everyone has their own responsibilities at this time. When I became a poet, I did my duty, 'he says,' so it also sends a positive message about making good use of social media. '

Journalist Dil Bhushan Pathak is running a special series of Tough Talk broadcast from Himalaya HD through Facebook Live. Every day from 9 to 10 pm in the program with singers and musicians with experts in various fields and related people come to the online conversation with relevant topics. Journalist Vijay Kumar is podcasting the 'Directions' program from home. Not only the program, but also the regular meetings and discussions of the organizations are taking place online.

Chairman Vishesh Khanal says that the regular and urgent meeting of the organization of scientists working in research and innovation will be held online. "We are doing video conferencing for regular work and research. It is becoming very effective, 'says Chairman Khanal. Spokesperson of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Suresh Kumar Dhungel says that the post-lockdown work and meeting is also being held online. ‘In such a situation, friends work online from home. We also hold the meeting online, 'said spokesperson Dhungel.

Online Festival

As soon as the festival is called, we imagine a large crowd, with guests all over the stage and spectators outside. The fact that people were confined to a room to avoid corona infection developed new options and possibilities, which became interesting and effective.

Kitab Jatra Foundation has started 'Virtual Literature Festival-Kitab Jatra-2020' from April 1. According to Rishi Ram Adhikari, chairman of the foundation, the literary debate 'Kitab Jatra' was held in Kathmandu. "But the festival has been launched online at this time due to fears of a corona infection," said an official who is also the festival's director. According to him, the debates at the festival can be watched live from the Facebook page of Kitab Jatra.

Various aspects of Nepali literature, art and life will be discussed at the festival, said session coordinator Shakuntala Joshi. "When we talk about art and literature in times of crisis, we are getting a response that is motivating us to be creative. Various suggestions are also coming about the program. The festival, which has been started for a week, can be extended according to the situation and response, 'she said.

Earlier, the Natya Mahotsav was held online for 16 days. The 'Quarantine Campaign Drama Festival 2076' has been organized by Theater Mall, Kirtipur Theater and Theater Center for Children.

India's book agency The Bookbreaker had earlier organized a literature festival online. The festival, which ran from April 6 to 12, was attended by 91 sessions and more than 600 speakers. The panel discussion, which was live on Facebook from 10 am to 9:30 pm, was attended by bestselling writers, cricket celebrities, famous actors, famous motivational speakers, leading journalists, political analysts, businessmen, police officers and others. "It simply came to our notice then. We are happy to have a challenging but different program during the lockdown, ”said Sanjeev, co-founder of the organization, Mathur said, "It was very effective as it included all genres."

Prosperous online class

Sheetal Chaulagain, who is studying Bachelors in Chinese Language at the University of Hawaii, China, came to Nepal on February 15. Her new semester started on February 17. University of China closed due to Corona disaster At the moment, he and all his friends are taking online classes. ‘Every day, online classes start at 11 a.m. Chinese time. At the same time, group work is also done from assignment or video class. This is how we are studying as soon as the new semester starts, 'she says.

Even in Nepal, some universities are conducting online classes for students. Sapkota, who is studying Fine Arts in the second semester at Kathmandu University in Hattiwan, takes online classes from home. According to the routine of the college, their classes are conducted from 10 am to 2:30 pm.

According to Professor Chandiraj Dahal, Kathmandu University is taking classes online on some subjects according to the concept of 'Work Firm Home'. "It simply came to our notice then. He is being taught by other friends including me, 'he says,' Instead, one or two students were absent in the physical class. Everyone is present. They are having a kind of engagement. '

Not only universities but also some schools are conducting special online classes for regular students. Sanskriti International School, located in Thulo Bharryang, conducts video conferencing with students of all classes through the 'Zoom' app. To free the children from Corona's terror, the school also conducted counseling classes online from psychologists. Similarly, the school has also organized a separate online conference for parents. The school is currently working on the concept of Google Class, says Bishwa Sigdel, a Nepali teacher at the school. According to him, even the teachers of the school are participating in the training on how to conduct online classes.

An educational organization called Spiny Babbler has teamed up with Cycle Story to offer online study for children between the ages of 3 and 13. The 'Offer Spine Babbler Evolution Online Education Program' is providing attractive education to children through arts, science, mathematics, social sciences, fitness, language and development through Google Classroom. Parents can fill out an online form for their children. Similarly, factories, Midas Education, Max Connect and other organizations are providing free e-learning to children. In this way, parents and teachers understand that the e-learning class is a good use of the time of the students who have access to the internet and does not hinder their learning.

Both the disadvantages and the advantages of social media

More than 3.8 billion people worldwide use social media, representing 49 percent of the world's population. It is estimated that 40 percent more people in Nepal are using the Internet than ever before. Anthropologist Dumbar Chemjong says the use of social media has increased in the current crisis to lift people out of loneliness and socialize.

"Even magazines don't come to the house now. It would have been difficult without social media," says Chemjong. "Social media has become the most comfortable medium at this time." In the village, it is being used more than before.

The author and thinker Ahuti says that social media is being used both positively and negatively. According to him, using social media for positive purposes is a great achievement of mankind. "It simply came to our notice then. A platform has also been provided to spread rumors. On the other hand, it has played a big role in providing accurate information and enrichment. '

According to Nast spokesperson Suresh Kumar Dhungel, people's mobility was very fast in the past due to the use of science and technology. I could not stand still in one place. However, with the advent of post-lockdowns technology, people are still connected to one another even when they are indoors. He says, "Science and technology has been very effective in exchanging information, in carrying out our activities, in providing entertainment."

The importance of social media has increased

Internet was used more during the lockdown. However, it has been used and misused. Most of the citizens are now suffering from laxity. Internet is running 40 percent more in Nepal. It has the most important role in the exchange of information. Online reading is now more popular than print media. If there was no social network, there would be no magazines and no double communication with television. But, social media has become a medium to feel comfortable. We should always pay attention to its positive utilization. Social media is the link of social relations at this time, so let's not misuse it.