Thinley Namgay 

The virtual buyer-seller interaction on electric vehicles (EVs) was held between 14 Bhutanese dealers and importers and 16 manufacturing companies in India.

Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Ruchira Kamboj said that given that there is an increasing demand for EVs in Bhutan as well as keeping in mind the target to ensure 50 percent of the vehicle fleet in the country is converted to clean and eco-friendly technology by 2030.

She said that the meeting was also aimed at expanding the presence of Indian manufactured EVs in Bhutan.

The ambassador said that there was a clear case of synergy and collaboration between the two countries due to India’s growing capacities on EV and Bhutan’s effort to go electric.

Bhutan Sustainable Low Emission Urban Transport System started in 2019 to introduce EV taxis in the capital city and nearby districts.  Currently, there are around 27 EV taxis.

Officials said that Bhutan imported 14 EVs from Tata Nixon in India.  However, EV being a new mode of transportation, officials said there is still a need for more awareness. Currently, Bhutan has around 130 EVs.

Organised by the Indian Embassy in Thimphu, the meeting aims to understand the status of the EV journey in both countries and to understand the EVs made in India, such as two-wheelers, three wheelers and four-wheelers.

Counterparts from India said that Bhutanese dealers could visit India to understand EVs. The session also discusses the need to follow the certification process on EVs that the government of Bhutan recommends.

The government introduced an initiative to import EVs in 2014 to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and the emission of harmful greenhouse gases.

Edited by Tshering Palden