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Research and development is being one of the major objective of the company, SEV is actively involved in the various research and development activities on electric vehicles since its establishments. SEV has received support from various partner organizations such as Kathmandu Electric Vehicle alliance (KEVA), USAID and SDC. SEV is basically involved in R&D on following areas:

1.Improve appearance of battery operated three wheelers:
600 battery operated three wheelers popularly known as “SAFA TEMPO” are plying in the roads and streets of Kathmandu valley. It is estimated that about one hundred thousand people are using these vehicles as public transportation on daily basis. Many consumer surveys have revealed that these vehicles need facelift in terms of design, look and comfort. It is true that these three wheelers are following the same appearance and design since twelve years. In this connection, SEV has come up with an idea to improve the look and design of existing three wheelers and has produced new type of commercial three wheelers. The new prototype of three wheelers has better outer look and interior design to provide more comfort to consumers. This vehicle is already in service and most of the consumers are satisfied.

2.Maintenance of DC Motors and Electrical components (Controller and DC converter):
The battery operated three wheelers in Nepal are operating with DC motor technology. Nepal still lack sufficient technical manpower to handle the technical problems faced by these vehicles. Hence, SEV in association with Kathmandu University’s Electronic Engineering Department has carried out various researches on repair and maintenance of DC motors and electrical components of three wheelers with an aim to create local technical manpower to provide regular maintenance service which would help EVs to operate smoothly.

3.Introduction of advanced technology in Nepal:
The Company is involved in researching and exploring the latest advancements taking place around the world and introducing these in Nepal to produce the finest EV technology with very low maintenances. The company is primarily focused on introducing new electric drive system and efficient battery technology so that the existing EVs in Nepal would have better mileage and technical performance. SEV feels proud on being the first company in Nepal to introduce AC drive system in electric three wheelers. SEV has adopted AC drive system in tourism three wheelers which have been produced targeting tourism market in Nepal.

4.Manufacturing Second Generation Electric Vehicles for Office and Personal use:
About 600 battery operated three wheelers are running in streets of Kathmandu valley since last 12 years. When we talk about electric vehicles in Nepal, the picture of these vehicles come in mind of people. It’s obvious because we never tried to diversify the use of electric vehicles. There is a huge potentiality for market diversification of electric vehicles in terms of market segments and geographic locations in Nepal. Improved second generation EVs can be used for public, personal and office use as well. In this context, SEV is trying to manufacture second generation EVs targeting new market segments. Recently SEV has developed following second generation EVs :

Tourism Electric Vehicles:
SEV for the first time manufactured upgraded version of three wheeler Safa Tempo with AC drive system to provide services to tourist. This electric vehicle was introduced on the occasion of World tourism day 2007 in association with the Explore Nepal, a leading tourism entrepreneurs in Nepal




Safa Kathmandu (Electric Three wheelers) for official use in Kathmandu Metropolitan City:
SEV has also developed an electric three wheelers named as " Safa Kathamndu (Clean Kathamndu) " for official use of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office . Kathmandu Electric Vehicle Alliance, Clean Energy Nepal and Kathmandu Metropolitan City have supported for the development of this vehicles. At present, Clean Energy Nepal and Environment Department of Kathmandu Metropolitan City are jointly operating the three wheelers for official purpose and various mass education and awareness activities. The vehicle is frequently used in exhibition, rallies, special environmental programs, dissemination of public notices by distributing pamphlets and miking. The vehicle is also used for collection of recycle waste from schools, offices and other waste recycling centers.

New Prototype of three wheelers for smaller Cities:
SEV has conducted various market exploring surveys in other growing cities of Nepal to diversify the use of EVs in terms of geographic locations as well. On the basis of one of such survey carried out in Dharan, a new model of EVs was designed and produced to meet the market need in Dharan. The model was developed in response to passenger volume in the routes. The passenger volume in Dharan is quite smaller than Kathmandu so the passenger hauling capacity of EVs has been reduced from 11 persons to nine people. At the same time the outer look and interior design have been improved to attract the passengers.

5.Conversion of old fossil fuel run vehicles into Electric one:
Conversion of old fossil fuel run vehicles into Electric one : If old fossil fuel run vehicles are converted into electric one it will have dual benefits – firstly reduce country’s economic burden by lowering the dependency on imported fossil fuel and secondly contribute to improve urban air quality to ensure better public health. The number of old vehicles is significant in Nepal which are causing air pollution in major cities particularly capital city Kathmandu. The technology and manpower is available in country to convert these vehicles into electric one. But the major hurdle is government policy which lacks provisions and standards for electric vehicle conversion. For the purpose of policy advocacy and mass education, SEV has converted of 25years old scrap IC engine Vehicle into Electric battery operated. This vehicle has been frequently used for exhibition; media campaign and test drive in the roads to sensitize policy makers and local people regarding the importance of vehicle conversion. Because of this, a good numbers inquiries and suggestions have been received from government officials and local people.


6. Utility EV for Office Use
SEV received an order of EV tripper from US Embassy and this product is new design and has special feature as per their requirement. This vehicle is under a technology of 48 volt drive system with a speed limit of 35 km/hr. with the satisfied performance of tripper as goods carrying vehicle, SEV is expected to have more order from other institutions.SEV received an order of EV tripper from US Embassy and this product is new design and has special feature as per their requirement. This vehicle is under a technology of 48 volt drive system with a speed limit of 35 km/hr. with the satisfied performance of tripper as goods carrying vehicle, SEV is expected to have more order from other institutions.