Car and bike terms explained

Plain-language meanings of the terms you see on spec sheets and in showrooms — from cc and bhp to kWh, ABS and ADAS.

Engine & performance

CC (cubic centimetres): The total volume of an engine’s cylinders. A 125 cc scooter engine is small and economical; a 1,500 cc car engine is mid-sized. More cc usually means more power but higher fuel use and, in Nepal, higher annual road tax.
BHP / PS / kW: Units of power — how fast the engine or motor can do work. 1 kW = 1.36 PS = 1.34 bhp. We show power in kW with PS beside it so petrol and electric vehicles can be compared directly.
Torque (Nm): The twisting force that gets a vehicle moving, measured in newton-metres. High torque at low speed makes climbing hills and carrying loads easier — useful on Nepal’s roads. Electric motors deliver their full torque from a standstill.
Mileage (km/l): Distance travelled on one litre of fuel. Brands quote figures from standard tests; real-world mileage in traffic, on hills or with a passenger is usually lower.
Kerb weight: The weight of the vehicle ready to drive, with fluids and usually a full or partly filled tank, but without passengers or luggage. Some brands quote “dry weight” instead, which is lighter.
Ground clearance: The gap between the road and the lowest point under the vehicle. More clearance helps on potholes, speed breakers and rough village roads.
Wheelbase: Distance between the front and rear axles. A longer wheelbase usually means more cabin space and a steadier ride; a shorter one makes tight turns easier.

Electric vehicles

kWh (battery capacity): How much energy a battery can store — the EV equivalent of fuel-tank size. A 3 kWh scooter battery or a 50 kWh car battery. It is also the unit on your electricity bill, so it shows what a full charge costs.
Range: How far an EV can go on a full charge. Brands quote test figures (WLTP, NEDC, CLTC, IDC); real range is lower at high speed, with air-conditioning, on hills and in cold weather.
WLTP / NEDC / CLTC / IDC: Laboratory test cycles used to measure range and efficiency. WLTP (Europe) is the most realistic of these; NEDC and CLTC (China) give noticeably higher numbers; IDC is India’s cycle for two-wheelers. Compare range only between figures from the same test.
AC charging: Slow or moderate charging from a home socket or wall box. The car’s onboard charger limits the speed (for example 7 kW or 11 kW). Ideal overnight.
DC fast charging: High-power public charging that feeds the battery directly, often adding most of the range in under an hour. Times are usually quoted from 10–30% up to 80%, because charging slows down near full.
LFP and NMC batteries: Two common lithium-ion chemistries. LFP (lithium iron phosphate) lasts many charge cycles and tolerates charging to 100%; NMC stores more energy for its weight. Brands state which they use.
Regenerative braking: When an EV slows down, the motor works as a generator and puts some energy back into the battery. Especially useful on Nepal’s long downhill roads.
Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and range extender: A hybrid combines a petrol engine with a small battery it charges itself. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has a bigger battery you charge from the grid for short electric trips. A range extender (EREV) drives the wheels electrically and uses a small engine only to make electricity.
V2L (vehicle-to-load): Lets an EV power appliances from its battery through a socket — handy during load-shedding, picnics or on construction sites.

Gearboxes & drive

Manual transmission (MT): You change gears yourself with a clutch pedal or lever. Cheaper to buy and repair, and gives full control on steep hills.
AMT (automated manual): A manual gearbox whose clutch and gear changes are done by a computer. No clutch pedal and affordable, but shifts can feel slow and jerky.
CVT: A continuously variable automatic with no fixed gears — smooth and efficient. Almost every scooter uses a CVT, and many small cars do too.
DCT / torque-converter automatic: Conventional automatics. A DCT (dual-clutch) shifts very quickly; a torque converter is smooth and robust in stop-and-go traffic.
FWD, RWD, AWD and 4WD: Which wheels are driven: front (FWD), rear (RWD), all four automatically (AWD), or four-wheel drive with low-range gearing for real off-road use (4WD / 4x4).

Brakes & safety

ABS (anti-lock braking system): Stops the wheels locking when you brake hard, so you can still steer. On motorcycles, single-channel ABS covers the front wheel only; dual-channel covers both.
CBS (combined braking system): On scooters and small bikes, pressing the rear brake lever also applies some front brake, giving shorter and more stable stops. Simpler and cheaper than ABS.
Disc vs drum brakes: Disc brakes stop more strongly and cope better with heat and water; drum brakes are cheaper and enclosed. Many bikes have a front disc and a rear drum.
ESC (electronic stability control): Brakes individual wheels automatically when the car starts to skid or slide in a corner. One of the most effective safety features in a car.
Airbags: Cushions that inflate in a crash. Front airbags protect the driver and front passenger; side and curtain airbags protect in side impacts. They work together with seatbelts, not instead of them.
ADAS (driver assistance): Camera- and radar-based helpers such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and blind-spot warning. Useful on highways, but Nepal’s faded lane markings and mixed traffic can confuse them — stay alert.
ISOFIX: Standard metal anchor points between the rear seat cushions for fitting a child seat securely without using the seatbelt.

Buying & owning

Ex-showroom price: The price the distributor lists for the vehicle itself, including import duties and VAT. Registration, number plates, road tax and insurance are paid on top. We show it as an “indicative” price because dealers can change it at any time.
EMI: Equated monthly instalment — the fixed amount you repay the bank every month on a vehicle loan, covering both interest and principal.
Bluebook: The vehicle registration certificate issued by the transport office. It records the owner and vehicle details and must be renewed yearly by paying road tax.
Third-party vs comprehensive insurance: Third-party insurance is compulsory and covers damage or injury you cause to others. Comprehensive insurance also covers damage to your own vehicle, theft and fire.
Naamsari (ownership transfer): Transferring a used vehicle into the buyer’s name at the transport office. Both parties’ documents and a clear tax record are needed.
CIF value: Cost, insurance and freight — the value of an imported vehicle when it reaches Nepal’s border. Customs duty and other import taxes are calculated on it, which is why taxes make up a large share of car prices in Nepal.