MG4 EV Conquers Kora-la Pass in Upper Mustang at 4,660 Meters
A Nepali MG4 EV owner drove to Kora-la Pass in Upper Mustang, proving electric vehicles can handle extreme altitude and rugged Himalayan terrain.
The MG4 EV has reached new heights — literally. Nepali owner Dhiren Man Shrestha recently completed a remarkable expedition to Kora-la Pass in Upper Mustang, pushing the electric hatchback to an elevation of **4,660 meters** above sea level. The journey puts to rest lingering doubts about whether EVs can handle Nepal's most demanding routes.
The Route
Upper Mustang remains one of Nepal's most isolated and rugged regions. The road to Kora-la Pass — near the Tibetan border — is unpaved for long stretches, with steep gradients, loose gravel, and river crossings that would challenge any vehicle, let alone a battery-powered hatchback.
Shrestha, who had previously tested the MG4 EV on the Hetauda-Kathmandu highway and Kalinchowk, chose this expedition specifically to push the car's limits in high-altitude, off-road conditions.
How the MG4 EV Performed
Several technical features proved critical during the climb:
5-link rear independent suspension kept the car stable on uneven terrain
Rear-wheel drive provided solid traction on loose surfaces
Regenerative braking helped manage long descents without overheating conventional brakes
Battery management held up well despite thin air and temperature swings at altitude
Shrestha reported that the car maintained consistent performance throughout, with the suspension absorbing punishment from rough roads better than expected for a vehicle in this price segment.
Why This Matters for Nepal
Nepal's EV market has been booming, but a persistent concern remains: can electric cars handle anything beyond Kathmandu's ring road? The country's geography — with mountain passes, unpaved highways, and elevation changes of thousands of meters — demands more from vehicles than flat city driving.
This expedition directly addresses that concern. If a compact EV hatchback can reach nearly 4,700 meters on unpaved roads, the range anxiety argument starts to look thin.
The Bigger Picture
The MG4 EV has already earned serious international recognition, including **Top Car of 2024** and multiple **Car of the Year** awards globally. In Nepal, it sits in a competitive price bracket against other Chinese EVs from BYD and OMODA.
What sets this story apart is that it wasn't a manufacturer-organized PR stunt — it was a customer who decided to see what his car could do. That kind of real-world validation carries more weight than any spec sheet.
What's Next
Paramount Motors, MG's authorized distributor in Nepal, has been actively promoting the MG4 EV's capability through events like the Dhulikhel Strength Test. With this Upper Mustang expedition adding to the evidence, expect to see more EV owners taking on ambitious routes across Nepal's Himalayan terrain.
For those still on the fence about going electric in Nepal, the message is clear: the roads are ready, and so are the cars.