Thailand promotes production of electric vehicles
In response to the Government’s policy to promote the production of electric vehicles (EVs), the Provincial Electricity Authority has launched a project to produce EV tuk-tuks, or EV tricycles, and to set up the EV charging station system.
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Chiang Mai in the North is the first province in which the project was launched, aimed at encouraging tuk-tuk owners to switch from oil, or liquefied petroleum gas, to the alternative, environmentally friendly form of transport.
Governor of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Semsakool Klaikaew presided over the launching ceremony and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in promoting EVs in Chiang Mai.
A study conducted by PEA shows that the electric vehicle business, especially the production of EV tuk-tuks, is viable in Chiang Mai, where demand is high. Tuk-tuk drivers find that their costs will decrease by 50% when they turn to this kind of vehicle. Moreover, EV tuk-tuks are also favored among foreign visitors, as the green automobiles are not noisy, with no air pollution emissions.
PEA has assigned PEA ENCOM International Company, which is a company under its supervision, to acquire and sell EV tuk-tuks in Chiang Mai. Normal charge stations will be set up at 10 spots in the province by the end of 2018.
PEA ENCOM International has set a target to turn 450 oil-fueled, or LPG-fueled, tuk-tuks in Chiang Mai to EV tuk-tuks between 2018 and 2020. It also aims to develop 18,000 EV tuk-tuks across the country.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will run an electric bus on five routes in Bangkok in June 2018 to assess its efficiency. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand will finance the project by providing free energy throughout the test.
The Cabinet on March 28, 2017 approved measures to promote the production of motor-driven vehicles. Later, in August 2018, the Board of Investment approved a project on hybrid electric vehicles. The production of EVs will be centered in the Eastern Economic Corridor, which is being promoted by the Government as a new special economic zone.