Techno-Environmental and Financial Aspect of Three Wheeler Vehicles: A Case Study of Electrical and Gasoline Three Wheelers in Hetauda, Nepal

Abstract

This study aims to analysis scenarios of the energy situation of three wheeler vehicles i.e. gasoline and electric in Hetauda. The transport sector is one of the major consumers of fossil fuels and uses a significant amount of the global energy supply. Several energy vectors have been discussed in the past, including hydrogen and electricity. The uptake of electric vehicle in the existing fleet of vehicles has positive impacts in the reduction of emissions and reduces the carbon footprints by moving in to greener transport. In a country like Nepal, where there is huge hydropower potential, we can allocate a substantial amount of that production in the transportation sector. A continuous increment in the petroleum price and looming uncertainty of supply can be considered as another reason to switch to the home-based energy system in Nepal. The three types of scenarios including one Business as usual scenario and other two different replacement scenarios, namely, ETRM 75, ETRM 100 for the period 2018- 2035 are analyzed in this study. At BAU the total energy consumption is increased from 230.4 TJ in 2018 to 333.5 TJ in 2035.At ETRM 75 the total energy consumption is decreased from 230.4 TJ to 225.5 TJ by the year 2018 to 2035 .Similarly in the scenarios ETRM 100 the total energy consumption is decreased from 230.4 GJ to 75.5 TJ by the year 2018 to 2035.The cumulative cost saved from avoided energy is NRs. 1.1 million and NRs. 2.5 million constant prices of 2018 under ETRM 75 and ETRM 100 scenarios respectively in comparison to BAU scenario. Since net social benefit of replacing by both ETRM 75 and ETRM 100 is positive, ETRM 100 scenario is the best option. This thesis outlines the electric vehicle development and examines the diffusion pattern or growth of electric vehicles and contributes to future market share of electric vehicle based on two different scenarios from government in terms of vehicle infrastructure and attributes, situation and policies. Public’s expectations, their willingness and attraction towards electric vehicles have been understood based on various questionnaires posed to them. Current status of electric vehicles has been obtained and policy study in promotion of electric vehicles in India, China and Bhutan has been studied to incorporate the major factor contributing to influence the promotion of electric vehicles in Nepalese vehicle market.