Turning setbacks into success: How Kailash Babu Gelal drove G Motors into the EV market

KATHMANDU, JULY 9: After completing his master’s degree from Tribhuvan University in 2008, Kailash Babu Gelal from Udayapur began his professional journey at Sipradi Trading.

Starting as a Deputy Manager, his dedication and commitment to his work quickly earned him a strong position within the company. Though he was well-compensated and valued at Sipradi, Gelal eventually chose to leave, driven by a desire to explore something beyond salaried life.

Determined to start his own venture, he walked away from a secure, high-paying job to launch a TVS motorcycle showroom in Ravi Bhawan, Kathmandu. He named the company G Motors, a tribute to his father, with whom he shared a close bond—the ‘G’ standing for his father's initial.

Within just six months, G Motors sold over 200 bikes and scooters. Business was promising in terms of volume, but it failed to generate a sustainable profit. Operating on a small scale meant overhead costs couldn’t be covered adequately, and Gelal decided to shut down the showroom within half a year.

Now, without a job and having exited his first business, Gelal found himself at a crossroads, uncertain about the future. But as the saying goes, "when one door closes, another opens." His next journey began—this time in the four-wheeler market.

He launched dealerships for Force and Renu in Sallaghari, Bhaktapur. Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he had already sold around 800 Renu and 200 Force vehicles.

During this period, G Motors also expanded to Itahari, where it opened dealerships for Nissan and Kia. According to Gelal, over 800 vehicles were sold there, with his elder brother now managing operations in Itahari.

However, the pandemic dealt a massive blow to the automobile sector. Just as businesses were attempting to recover, the government imposed import restrictions to conserve foreign currency reserves, further affecting the already fragile market, especially for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

At the same time, a shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) was gaining traction in Nepal, encouraged by government policies, customs duty exemptions, and environmental incentives. Gelal saw an opportunity and decided to transition from being just a dealer to becoming an EV importer.

He began studying the EV landscape in detail, researching suitable brands and travelling to India, China, and Japan. After extensive study, he found that Skywell aligned best with Nepal’s road conditions and market needs. He began importing Skywell EVs, initially operating out of a dealership in Radhe Radhe, Bhaktapur. Today, the official Skywell showroom is located in Naxal, Kathmandu, near Narayan Chaur.

Reflecting on his 17-year journey—from selling Tata vehicles to importing Skywell EVs—Gelal says he has faced many ups and downs. “Success demands determination and persistence. You have to embrace both the bitter and the sweet,” he shares.

Behind every successful person is often a mentor. For Gelal, that mentor is Shambhu Dahal, the then-CEO of Sipradi. He credits Dahal’s guidance for helping shape his career and expanding his vision. Even today, Gelal regards Dahal as his lifelong guru.

Was G Motors late to join the EV race?

Though electric vehicles have existed in Nepal for years, their popularity surged only after the 2021/22 budget introduced policy incentives. It wasn’t until around three years later that Skywell entered the Nepali market. Gelal admits that G Motors was a bit late in joining the EV revolution.

However, he insists the delay was purposeful. “We may have entered late, but we’ve brought the best. Skywell offers the highest range of any EV in Nepal. It took time to research and find a product that truly suits Nepali roads,” he says.

According to him, an electric vehicle’s motor power, battery quality, and range must not be compromised—features in which Skywell excels.

Why Skywell?

Skywell is a standout brand in China’s EV industry and was the first Chinese new energy vehicle to receive EU certification for export to Europe. In 2017, Skywell’s Model ET5 received the EU’s stringent "E-mark" certification, a feat no other Chinese EV had achieved at the time.

Gelal says this certification played a decisive role in his choice. European markets have strict import standards. You can’t just bring any vehicle like you can in Nepal. When I discovered Skywell had passed these European standards, it caught my attention.”

Today, the same Skywell models exported to Europe are being brought to Nepal by G Motors.