GREEN BUSES: Sustainable Transportation through Electric Buses Rapid Transit (eBRT) in Kathmandu Valley

The Green Buses project aims to transition Kathmandu Valley's public transport from fossil fuel dependence to a zero-emission eBRT system. The proposal requests USD 164 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as part of a total indicative cost of USD 243 million. The project consists of three components: strengthening the policy and institutional framework via the creation of the Kathmandu Valley Public Transport Authority (KVPTA), constructing climate-resilient infrastructure including a 27 km Ring Road corridor and charging stations, and implementing a financial mechanism to support private operators in procuring a fleet of approximately 100 electric buses. The project expects to mitigate 870,000 tCO2e over 20 years by replacing conventional minibuses with electric alternatives powered by Nepal's hydropower-dominant grid.

• The project aims to mitigate approximately 870,000 tCO2e over a 20-year lifespan by replacing conventional petrol-powered minibuses with electric buses on the Ring Road corridor.
• The total indicative cost of the project is USD 243 million, with USD 164 million requested from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in the form of grants and senior loans.
• The project will implement a first phase consisting of a 27 km Ring Road corridor in Kathmandu Valley, featuring segregated busways, 46 special stations, and 40 fast-charging stations.
• The project plans to procure approximately 100 new electric buses (a mix of 12m standard and 18m articulated models) for the first phase, with an estimated cost of USD 400,000 per bus.
• A central part of the institutional reform is the establishment of the Kathmandu Valley Public Transport Authority (KVPTA) to oversee and regulate the transport sector and the eBRT system.
• The project identifies high upfront costs for electric buses—estimated at 5 to 6 times higher than conventional vehicles—as a primary financial barrier for private operators.
• The eBRT system will utilize Nepal's national grid, which is over 99% hydropower-based, ensuring that the transition to electric buses effectively reduces CO2 emissions.
• The project includes an optional second phase to develop a 19.5 km radial route connecting the central business district (CBD) from Bhaktapur/Suryabinayak to Tundikhel/Rantapark, requiring an additional 80 electric buses.

APA

Green Climate Fund (n.d.). GREEN BUSES: Sustainable Transportation through Electric Buses Rapid Transit (eBRT) in Kathmandu Valley. https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/28040-green-buses-sustainable-transportation-through-electric-buses-rapid-transit-ebrt-kathmandu.pdf

Chicago

Green Climate Fund. GREEN BUSES: Sustainable Transportation through Electric Buses Rapid Transit (eBRT) in Kathmandu Valley. n.d. https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/28040-green-buses-sustainable-transportation-through-electric-buses-rapid-transit-ebrt-kathmandu.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Green Climate Fund |title=GREEN BUSES: Sustainable Transportation through Electric Buses Rapid Transit (eBRT) in Kathmandu Valley |url=https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/28040-green-buses-sustainable-transportation-through-electric-buses-rapid-transit-ebrt-kathmandu.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greenclimatefundndgreen, author = {{Green Climate Fund}}, title = {{GREEN BUSES: Sustainable Transportation through Electric Buses Rapid Transit (eBRT) in Kathmandu Valley}}, institution = {Green Climate Fund}, url = {https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/28040-green-buses-sustainable-transportation-through-electric-buses-rapid-transit-ebrt-kathmandu.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }