Kathmandu – As global fuel markets reel from the conflict in the Middle East, motorists in Nepal are increasingly turning to electric vehicles, with high demand putting a strain on dealerships.

Electric microbus driver Purushottam Adhikari said he was now shuttling more passengers along the 300-kilometer journey between his town in Chitwan district and the capital Kathmandu.

“My profession is not affected (by the conflict),” said the 48-year-old, who drives his 18-seater Chinese-made e-van along Nepal’s highways daily. “In fact, more people are choosing EVs.”