Kathmandu, June 13 -- Electric car importers are preparing to meet a post-pandemic demand for electric vehicles after the Nepal government in its new budget scrapped taxes imposed last year.

The new budget presented by Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel on 29 May hascompletely repealed excise dutyon battery operated cars, while cutting customs duty down to the earlier 10%. Earliertax cuts in 2016had increased affordability and, combined with improved range of battery cars, had made them gain popularity in Nepal.

Importers of electric vehicles are now rushing to cash in on anexpected rise in customer demandonce the lockdown is lifted. In addition to the brands that have a head start in e-cars in Nepal like Hyundai, Kia, Mahindra, MG, India's...