e-autos manufactured by Kerala Automobiles Limited (KAL), a public sector undertaking, started exporting to Nepal. These are manufacturing at factories of KAL in Kerala. Kerala Chief Minister (CM) Pinarayi Vijayan said that 25 units of e-auto ‘Neem G’ will be exported to Nepal in the first phase while the state is expecting to sell 500 units more in Nepal. The two trucks will arrive with the consignment in Nepal in 12 days. The KAL has also got orders for eight more e-autos from Nepal and they will be shipped soon. The Nepal government is procuring the e-autos through Himalaya Motrrad Private Ltd. as part of ushering in e-mobility. It is expected to sell 500 e-autos a year in Nepal. The Neem G auto has a mileage of 80 to 90 km in a single charge. The electric auto also has a partition in place to differentiate between driver and passenger, which will ensure safety in view of the spread of COVID-19. The first 25 autos was shipped from KAL plant to Nepal.
Talks are underway to export e-auto to neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Kenya and Bangladesh apart from Nepal. Apart from Kerala, e-auto rickshaw dealers are being appointed in other states in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to boost the sales. The three-seater environment-friendly auto comes with a price tag of Rs 2.85 lakh and it is being exported at the same price to Nepal. According to KAL, the battery can be fully charged within four hours and it can even be charged through a household plug. For KAL, it is its first export after 17 years. It is also the first export of the electric e-auto rickshaw from the country by a public sector undertaking of a State. The three-seater environment-friendly ‘Kerala Neem G’ auto rickshaws are being sold to Nepal for ₹2.85 lakh, the same rate as in the country. Indigenously made battery using German technology can be charged within three hours and 55 minutes. Charging can be done using a three-pin plug in households also. With full charge, the e-auto will travel 80 to 90 km.
