Govt Tightens Vehicle Emission Rules: Euro 5 for Bikes, Euro 6 for Cars
The Government of Nepal has officially upgraded its vehicle emission norms, implementing Euro 6 standards for imported four-wheelers. This move is part of efforts to curb vehicular pollution and its impact on public health and the environment.
Under the newly published Nepal Vehicle Emission Standards, 2082 BS, all two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and small four-wheelers must comply with Euro 5 standards, while standard four-wheelers — including cars, vans, microbuses, and large buses — must meet the stricter Euro 6 requirements. The updated standards apply not only to fully built imported vehicles but also to locally assembled ones and their components.
Certain vehicles are exempt from the new rules. These include construction machinery such as tractors, power tillers, bulldozers, cranes, rollers, and excavators, as well as military vehicles imported on the recommendation of the Ministry of Defense.
Nepal’s adoption of cleaner emission standards has been slow. The country introduced Euro 3-equivalent norms in 2069 BS, initially planning to shift to Euro 4 within two years. However, it took 13 years to make the transition to Euro 6. The first emission standard, introduced in 2056 BS under the Environment Protection Rules 2054, was equivalent to Euro 1. It was later revised in 2069 BS to align with Euro 3.
With the official gazette now confirming the implementation of Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards, Nepal is taking a significant step toward cleaner transportation and improved air quality — marking the country’s most substantial regulatory shift in over a decade.
