Nepal's electric vehicle market just got a significant jolt. Shangrila Motors, the official distributor of Leapmotor in Nepal, slashed the price of the B10 SUV by Rs. 5 lakh in one move. The announcement was made at a formal event in Kathmandu on Sunday, and the timing is no coincidence, this is a direct result of Nepal's revised EV tax structure passed through the latest national budget.
A Budget Policy Shift Did the Heavy Lifting
This price drop isn't a promotional discount or a company-led strategy. The government's revised tax framework is doing the work. Previously, the B10, with its 160 kW electric motor, attracted 30% customs duty, 20% excise duty, 5% road construction tax, and 13% VAT. Under the new structure, customs duty drops to 20%, excise is reframed as a "clean energy tax" at the same 20% rate, but the entire tax is now calculated on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value rather than the earlier method. The net result is a meaningfully lighter tax burden, and Shangrila Motors has passed that saving straight to the buyer.
That's how a government budget line item turns into a more competitive sticker price on a showroom floor.
Design and Dimensions
The B10 is a compact SUV that wears its identity confidently. At 4,515 mm long, 1,885 mm wide, and 1,655 mm tall, with a 2,735 mm wheelbase, it sits in the practical urban crossover range without feeling cramped. The exterior is defined by flush pop-out door handles, full LED lighting, and 18-inch alloy wheels, details that give it a cleaner, more premium silhouette than its price range typically delivers.
Inside, it's a proper cabin: leather seats with heating and ventilation options on the top variant, a sunroof, ambient lighting, and a 14.6-inch floating touchscreen dominating the dashboard. Shangrila Motors has also included a spare tyre, a small but practical touch that gets quietly dropped on a surprising number of EVs.
Performance and Powertrain
Both variants share the same rear-wheel drive powertrain: a 160 kW electric motor producing 240 Nm of torque. Where they diverge is the battery. The base Life variant runs on a 56.2 kWh LFP pack, while the top-spec Design variant steps up to a 67.1 kWh battery with a WLTP-rated urban range of up to 460 km.
On the charging side, both support 11 kW AC charging and DC fast charging up to 168 kW. The 67.1 kWh pack can go from 30% to 80% in just 20 minutes, a fast-charging ceiling that's genuinely competitive in this segment.
Specifications
Platform: Leapmotor EV Platform 3.5
Motor: 160 kW rear-mounted electric motor
Torque: 240 Nm
Battery: 56.2 kWh (Life) / 67.1 kWh (Design), LFP chemistry
Range: Up to 460 km (urban conditions)
DC Fast Charging: Up to 168 kW (30% to 80% in 20 minutes)
AC Charging: 11 kW
Ground Clearance: 188 mm
Boot Space: 420 litres (1,415 litres with rear seats folded)
Safety Rating: 5-star ANCAP
Standard Safety: Multiple airbags, ABS, EBD
Software: OTA updates supported
Features
The B10 makes its boldest argument on the technology front. A few highlights worth calling out:
ADAS Level 2 driver assistance with 17 active smart features
Lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and smart parking included as standard
LiDAR, rare at this price point, typically reserved for vehicles in a significantly higher bracket
360-degree camera system for full surround visibility
Snapdragon chip powering the infotainment stack
12-speaker audio system and panoramic sunroof on the top Design variant
NFC access, wireless charging, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay for full connectivity
Leapmotor B10 Price in Nepal
The Leapmotor B10 is available in Nepal in two variants: Life and Design. Following the recent price revision, the updated prices are:
B10 Life (56.2 kWh): Rs. 49.99 Lakh The base variant. Comes with fabric seats, 4-way manual seat adjustability for the passenger, and the full tech stack minus a few premium interior touches.
B10 Design (67.1 kWh): Rs. 56.99 Lakh (previously Rs. 59.99 Lakh, now reduced by Rs. 5 Lakh) The top-spec variant. Adds the larger battery, full leatherette upholstery, 6-way power-adjustable driver seat, ventilated and heated front seats, panoramic sunroof, and the 12-speaker audio system.
The B10 comes with an 8-year or 1,50,000 km battery warranty and a 4-year or 1,00,000 km warranty on the overall vehicle including the e-powertrain. Shangrila Motors also bundles a 7 kW wall charger and a 2.2 kW travel charger with purchase. Color options include Blue, Purple, White, Grey, Silver, and Black.
What This Means for the Market
Rs. 49.99 lakh as an entry point is a real shift. The Life variant now sits just under that psychological Rs. 50 lakh threshold, and with the Design variant at Rs. 56.99 lakh, the B10 family covers a meaningful range without a huge gap between the two. The revised pricing, combined with a specs sheet that genuinely punches above its class, makes the B10 one of the more compelling EV options currently on sale in Nepal.
The next test isn't the launch event , it's the 18 months after. After-sales support, software update frequency, and real-world battery performance in Kathmandu's stop-start traffic will write the actual verdict. Leapmotor has the specs. Now it has to deliver the experience.