MAW Vriddhi, the authorised distributor for Foton vehicles in Nepal, has introduced the Mountain EV, a commercial passenger vehicle designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable transport solutions.

While EV adoption was initially confined to the private vehicle sector in Nepal, the commercial EV market is now gaining significant momentum as well.

In response to this shift, Foton Nepal has launched the Mountain EV, offering versatile seating configurations with 14, 15, and 16 seats, catering to the evolving needs of commercial transport in the country.

The price of the Mountain EV in Nepal starts at NPR 5.75 million (US$ 42,500) for the 15-seater variant, while the 14-seater model is priced at NPR 5.9 million. The price of the 16-seater variant has not yet been disclosed.

Foton, a global leader in commercial vehicle manufacturing, exports its products to over 130 countries. Since entering the Nepalese market in 2014 with a range of trucks and buses, Foton has expanded its offerings to include New Energy Vehicles, making notable progress in Nepal's market.

The Mountain EV is powered by a 130 kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), generating a maximum power output of 176.7 PS and a maximum torque of 330 Nm. The vehicle is supported by a 53.58 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate battery, offering a claimed range of 300 km (NEDC). The battery can be fully charged in approximately 9.5 hours using AC charging, and in just 1.5 hours under fast-charging conditions.

It has a top speed of 100 km/h and can accelerate from 0 to 80 km/h in 14 seconds. It measures 5320 mm in length, 1695 mm in width, and 2280 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3325 mm.

The vehicle offers a ground clearance of 180 mm and a kerb weight of less than 2200 kg. Despite its weight, it can support a gross weight of 3400 kg and is capable of handling a 25% grade, making it well-suited for Nepal's diverse terrain.