IMC Worldwide: A DT Global Company is working actively on PPP projects in South Asia (including Nepal and Bangladesh) and intends to commission various studies for developing green projects which are beneficial for the environment. To deliver these studies, experts (individuals or firms) are required. 

The technical requirements are detailed below, but in addition it is essential that the experts have the following skills and attitude: 

• Analytical mindset
• Curiosity to dig and find data
• Excellence/ Comfort with numbers
• Expertise in MS packages

Whilst technical specific knowledge is required, the attitude and the ability to convince IMC on how these studies will be executed, is of extreme importance. Please note, these assignments are considered prefeasibility studies as they will be based on estimates without field investigation in most of the cases.

Mobility Expert

Objective

The desired objective of GoN is a technology neutral financial position over the long run (say 15 to 30 years, or even longer), i.e., the outflows from GoN should remain the same irrespective of the technology. GoN has the ambition to be carbon neutral by 2045 and is committed to use 15% clean energy by 2030 and the numbers because of this exercise will determine the pathway to achieve these critical climate milestones.

As an example, the capex requirement for an electric bus may be 3 to 4 times of the diesel buses but the additional cost as compared to diesel buses will be offset on account of lower opex requirement of electric buses. Further, concessional financing or subsidies/ grants may be available for electric buses, which the Consultant is expected to calculate along with the identification of such sources.

For hydrogen buses, the Consultant will work on the following options:

1. Using the existing bus, the IC engine is configured for using hydrogen as a fuel. Buses using Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) system. Business as Usual (BAU) The Consultant will engage with the market specifically the bus manufacturers from the beginning of the assignment.
2. Analyse the duty and tax structure (capex as well as opex) in Nepal and suggest improvements and modifications in the same by comparing it with similar economies.
3. Carry out life cycle cost/TCO analysis of internal combustion engine (diesel/ petrol) for different length of buses. 

• Suggest length of the buses depending upon the cities and landscape i.e., what is feasible in Kathmandu/ Pokhara and Terai regions may not be feasible and practical in hilly regions.
• Capital Cost of buses – discussions/ quotes should be taken from Tata, Ashok Leyland, Eicher, Swaraj Mazda etc. from India or Chinese Manufactures (if feasible). The number of buses could range from 10 to 100 and tentative pricing along with procurement strategy should be articulated.
• The analysis will be carried out based on the estimated life of the buses; however, the period of analysis could be upto 30 or even 50 years also, depending upon the financing terms (to be identified by the Consultant) which are available. In such a scenario, the Consultant will take a call on the future pricing of internal combustion engine buses as well as the price of fuel (diesel/ petrol). Evaluate the possibility of blending the IC fuel with Ethanol and give recommendation on the possibility of blending it with E 10/20 in the interim time before full electrification, using hydrogen etc.    

As in case of BAU, carry out TCO analysis for Diesel/ Petrol, Hybrid, Electric and Hydrogen with emphasis on the following:

• Like the IC engine buses, the Consultant will engage with the manufactures of Electric (BYD, Tata etc.), Hybrid (Volvo etc.) and Hydrogen (JCB, Solaris etc.).
• Depending upon the region in Nepal wherein length of the bus will be a critical aspect; the Consultant will also address the concern of range of electric vehicles, the creation of charging infrastructure etc. Like region, the Altitude of Nepal will also play a critical role where in every 100 m increase in Altitude will result in temperature reduction of 2 to 3 degrees which will impact the character of the fuel (IC/ Diesel) or the electric vehicle. 
• Similarly, in case of Hydrogen, the Consultant will work out the incremental cost for adapting Hydrogen as a Fuel in the existing IC set up, availability of Hydrogen and its pricing, depending upon varying electricity prices. It must be kept in mind that the Hydrogen in Nepal will primarily be created by Electrolysis of water. The Consultant will also work on suggesting appropriate storage and transport solution for hydrogen in Nepal.

Outputs

• Creation of detailed financial models along with PPT with detailed notes indicating TCO for various options i.e., (IC - Diesel/ Petrol, Hybrid, Electric or Hydrogen or E10/E20). Comparator costs for other public transport options eg tram, light rail etc. would be useful.
• An indication of the government subsidy required to make journeys affordable, noting particular policy incentives such as increasing domestic consumption of energy
• Recommend Region (Cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara Vs Terai Region Vs Hilly regions) specific buses along with type i.e., IC, Hybrid, Electric or Hydrogen.
• Estimate the GHG reduced under the BAU and climate friendly option

Experience

• Adequate knowledge on transportation systems and costs
• Able to undertake total life cycle cost estimations 
• Understands the contexts of GHG calculations
• The Consultant may tie up with hydrogen/ other experts to add rigour to the analysis and can accordingly give the quotes i.e., in a combined or an individual manner.
• Experts having electric buses knowledge only can also apply.