NAIMA Expo 2026 - Arcfox T1 Launched in Nepal with Enhanced Features, Pricing, and EMI Options

A New Wave of Affordable EV Hatchbacks Heads to Kathmandu

The second edition of the NAIMA Mobility Expo 2026 opened at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, on August 11 and ran through August 16, organized by the Nepal Automobile Importers and Manufacturers Association (NAIMA). This year's big talking point isn't a flagship SUV or a luxury sedan — it's the humble electric hatchback. Several brands are using the expo to introduce compact, budget-oriented EVs aimed squarely at Nepali buyers who want an electric car without stretching into sedan or SUV price territory.

It makes sense for our market. Most Nepali buyers shopping for a family car are working with a defined budget, and hatchbacks tick the boxes that matter here: easier to park in cramped Kathmandu lanes, cheaper to run, and — with EVs — free from the sting of petrol prices and high customs duty on fuel vehicles. Currently, Nepal already has a handful of family hatchbacks priced under roughly Rs 35 lakh, and the models debuting at NAIMA seem designed to compete in that same bracket.

ARCFOX T1 — A New Brand Enters Nepal

One of the more interesting introductions is the ARCFOX T1, a premium crossover-hatchback that Laxmi E-Mobility is bringing in as a new brand for the Nepali market. It's powered by a 42.3 kWh LFP battery pack paired with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 95 kW (127 PS) and 176 Nm of peak torque, offering a claimed CLTC driving range of up to 425 km on a single charge. ARCFOX is positioning this as a stylish, feature-rich option targeted at younger buyers who want something with a more premium feel than typical entry-level EVs.

The T1 was originally scheduled to make its Nepal debut on August 11 at the NAIMA Expo, but customs-related delays meant it could not arrive in time. The official launch is now set for August 15, where the electric crossover will be unveiled. The vehicle has already been spotted in Nepal, making its way to Kathmandu. It measures 4,337 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width, and 1,573 mm in height, with a 2,750 mm wheelbase expected to provide a spacious cabin for five occupants. The T1 combines the practicality of a hatchback with SUV-inspired styling, offering a top speed of more than 150 km/h and a maximum gradeability of 30 percent.

The Arcfox T1 is available in two variants, with the LV2 priced at Rs. 3.296 million and the LV3 at Rs. 3.596 million under a special offer. Buyers can now purchase the T1 with a monthly EMI starting at Rs. 28,418. Under the current vehicle financing rules, buyers can get financing of up to 60% of the vehicle price. With a 40% down payment and a 5.5% interest rate, the LV2 can be financed with a monthly EMI of around Rs. 28,418 for seven years.

The cabin features a 15.6-inch HD touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, voice control, EasyLink, and Apple CarPlay. It also comes with heated and ventilated seats, offering four driving modes: Eco, Sport, Comfort, and Personalized.

Safety features include cruise control, automatic parking, lane departure warning, an electronic parking brake, seatbelt reminder, ABS, EBD, ESP, four airbags, hill control, front and rear parking sensors, and reverse path tracking. Notably, the T1 is equipped with Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, including adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

Chery QQ3 — Official Reveal This Week

Chery's authorized Nepali distributor, Pioneer Motocorp, is set to formally unveil the Chery QQ3 EV this week. Chery describes it as a new-generation EV built for modern urban lifestyles. It comes with a 41.2 kWh battery and a 90 kW rear-wheel-drive motor — a healthy amount of power for a hatchback — along with 175mm of ground clearance, useful for Nepal's uneven city roads and monsoon flooding.

On the feature side, the QQ3 is well-equipped for its segment: a 70-litre front trunk (frunk), a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, over 20 advanced driver-assistance features, and Level 2 ADAS — a fairly generous safety package for a car expected to sit in the budget hatchback bracket. Industry expectation is that hatchback EVs in this segment, broadly, will be priced somewhere between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 40 lakh once official pricing is announced, though Chery/Pioneer Motocorp has not yet confirmed a specific number for the QQ3.

Wuling Bingo Returns with Upgraded "Lighter Pro" Variants

Wuling Bingo, which has already built a following in Nepal's entry-level EV segment, is making a comeback with upgraded Lighter Pro variants. These come in two battery options — 31.9 kWh and 37.9 kWh — both paired with a 50 kW motor. Expect a refreshed design and updated features aimed at giving city drivers a bit more range and convenience than the outgoing version.

Emax 5 Already Launched, Fighting in the Entry-Level Segment

Unlike the models above, the Proton Emax 5 (referred to as iMax 5 in some coverage) is already available in the Nepali market and competes directly in the entry-level hatchback-EV space. It joins existing players like BYD Atto 1, Tata Punch EV, and Nami Box in this increasingly crowded segment.

What This Means for Nepali Buyers

With BYD Atto 1, Tata Punch EV, Nami Box, and Proton Emax 5 already on sale, and ARCFOX T1, Chery QQ3, and the updated Wuling Bingo lining up behind them, Nepal's budget EV hatchback segment is about to get a lot more competitive. That's good news for buyers — more choice usually means sharper pricing and better feature packages as brands try to stand out.

Our advice: if you're shopping in the Rs 25–40 lakh EV hatchback bracket, hold off on a final decision until official Nepal pricing and specifications for the ARCFOX T1 and Chery QQ3 are confirmed. We'll update this space as soon as distributors announce firm prices and booking details.

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Expo Highlights

The expo featured 51 stalls with more than 55 automobile and mobility brands, including 29 four-wheeler brands and 18 two-wheeler brands. Electric vehicles were the clear centre of gravity this year, with EVs on display ranging from around Rs 20 lakh to Rs 3.5 crore. Notably, Chery, Leapmotor, Wuling, Hongqi, and Kia ran some form of introductory or expo-only pricing, offering potential buyers unique opportunities during the event.