Mahanagar Yatayat Adds 16 New Electric Buses to Kathmandu's Ring Road Fleet

Mahanagar Yatayat Pvt. Ltd. has expanded its electric bus service in Kathmandu with 16 new electric buses now operating along the Ring Road. The latest fleet addition is part of the city’s push toward cleaner, more efficient public transport as Nepal’s capital continues to grapple with traffic congestion and air pollution.

The buses were imported from China by Sashila Motors Pvt. Ltd. and are designed to carry 33 seated passengers, with space for about 70 passengers in total when standing riders are included. That capacity makes them a practical fit for busy urban routes where short-distance, high-frequency service matters most.

Each bus is powered by a 144 kWh battery and is said to deliver a range of up to 200 kilometers on a full charge. For Ring Road operations, that range is especially important because it supports a full day of service on a single charge under suitable conditions, reducing downtime and dependence on frequent recharging.

Why this matters for Kathmandu

Kathmandu’s public transport network is under constant pressure from rising demand, and electric buses offer a direct way to improve capacity without adding tailpipe emissions. By placing these buses on one of the city’s busiest corridors, Mahanagar Yatayat is betting that EVs can be both a cleaner alternative and a commercially viable transit option.

The move also signals growing confidence in electric mobility for public transport in Nepal. Larger-capacity EVs are no longer limited to pilot projects or niche routes, and the Ring Road deployment shows that electrified transit is moving closer to the mainstream.

A growing electric transit shift

The new buses follow earlier efforts by Mahanagar Yatayat to introduce electric service in Kathmandu Valley, reflecting a broader trend toward modernized urban transit. With more EV buses entering daily operation, the company is helping build real-world experience around charging logistics, passenger demand, and fleet management in a dense city environment.

For commuters, the upgrade could mean a quieter ride, cleaner air, and more reliable service if the fleet is well maintained and supported by charging infrastructure. For the city, it is another sign that electric public transport is becoming a serious part of Kathmandu’s mobility future.