Yatri Motorcycles, a startup, has launched sleek e-motorbikes with the aim of convincing Nepalis to switch to electric vehicles. The company believes that this shift can help clean up the country's polluted air, save money, reduce petrol imports, and contribute to achieving climate goals. Founder Ashim Pandey stated that it is inevitable for society to transition to electric vehicles as battery technology continues to advance. Globally, manufacturers are racing to develop affordable, low-emission vehicles in response to increasing bans on fossil fuel-powered cars in efforts to combat global warming. Despite Nepal's pledge in the 2015 Paris Agreement to have 20% of its vehicles be electric by 2020, only 1% currently meet this goal according to the Climate Action Tracker website. Nepal has a relatively low carbon footprint globally due to its extensive forest cover and reliance on hydropower for electricity. However, emissions are increasing due to more petrol and diesel vehicle imports and fossil fuel consumption. The government aims to transition to e-vehicles by reducing taxes, customs duties, and installing more charging stations. Despite a commitment to have e-vehicles make up 90% of all private passenger vehicle sales by 2030, progress has been slow. Currently, there are around 700 electric cars, 5,000 electric scooters, and 40,000 electric rickshaws in Nepal according to the Electric Vehicle Association of Nepal. Yatri Motorcycles, a company established in 2017, aims to create high-quality electric vehicles in Nepal. Founder Pandey expressed interest in expanding beyond Nepal's borders and moving towards exporting advanced technology and capital goods rather than traditional handicrafts. Pandey, who studied aerospace engineering in The Netherlands and designed hydrogen-powered race cars at Delft University of Technology, has an ambitious 10-year plan. The company's first project, Project Zero, is a high-end motorbike with features such as a digital dashboard, 4G connectivity, keyless start, a range of 240km, and a maximum speed of 140km/h, which can recharge in two hours. It surpasses the majority of two-wheelers available in the market, which are manufactured in China and India, offering a higher range and speed. However, it comes with a hefty price tag of almost 2,000,000 Nepalese rupees ($16,797) - almost seven times more than a petrol motorbike. Yatri introduced a more budget-friendly model, Project One, priced at 500,000 rupees, receiving 50 orders within a week. "The initial cost will decrease as we increase production," Pandey stated, expressing confidence in reaching their goal of selling 200 units in 2021. Motorcycles are crucial in the transition to electric vehicles as they make up 80% of Nepal's registered vehicles, providing commuters with a cheaper option compared to the crowded and chaotic public buses in Nepal, according to government data. However, electric motorbikes alone cannot reduce carbon emissions in Nepal's transportation sector. According to government data from 2011, the biggest contributors to emissions are trucks at 29%, followed by cars and vans at 26%, and buses at 19%, with two-wheelers accounting for only 8%. Yatri's long-term objective is to introduce electric vans and buses for fleet operators by the end of the decade. The founder believes that in order to address the challenges faced by modern cities, it is essential to consider the issue of limited space. He emphasizes the importance of creating a reliable, comfortable, and attractive public transportation system to improve urban mobility. Nepal has a history of experimenting with e-vehicles, from trolleybuses in the 1970s to Safa Tempos in the 1990s. However, electric buses failed due to mismanagement and Safa Tempos lost out to diesel vehicles because of their inefficient batteries. The government is now looking to reintroduce electric vehicles by purchasing 300 electric buses. A major challenge in increasing e-vehicle sales is the need for more charging stations, according to Manish Pandey, a popular YouTuber who travels around the country by motorbike. Pandey had planned to film a long-distance trip using an e-scooter six months ago but had to cancel. He stated that due to the lack of charging stations along the route and the limited range of electric vehicles, he was unable to finish the journey. He mentioned that the current availability of charging stations would deter him from choosing to ride an electric motorbike. He also highlighted the high cost of these vehicles as a significant barrier to persuading regular motorcyclists to switch to environmentally friendly options. In a country like Nepal, where there is limited environmental awareness and economic constraints, the price of the vehicle is often prioritized over its eco-friendly technology by potential customers.