Thai government pushes use of electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions

The Thai government has approved a budget of 3 billion baht to subsidise the price of electric vehicles and has installed free-to-use EV charging stations at Benjakitti Park in Bangkok to promote the shift to a low carbon society.

The spokesperson for the prime minister, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchan, announced today that PM Prayut Chan-o-cha aims to promote electric vehicles and make Thailand a centre of production for electric cars and motorcycles in the ASEAN region.

The government’s Excise Department has prepared an initial budget of 3 billion baht to discount electric vehicles for the public by 70,000 baht to 150,000 baht and is prepared to expand the budget if demand increases. Two car markers, Great Wall Motor and MG Camp have agreed to participate in the project and have a total of 2,000 EVs for sale at a price approved by the Excise Department. Benz, BMW, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Foxconn and Neta are also showing interest in joining the project. PM Prayut is confident that excise tax reductions will increase investment in electric vehicles.

Surveys conducted by a team appointed by Prayut at Bangkok’s 43rd International Motor Show, held from March 22 to April 3 in Muang Thong Thani, found that a large number of people are interested in automotive innovations, especially for electric vehicles.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Metropolitan Electricity Authority have set up two electric vehicle charging stations in Benjakitti Park in Bangkok. The charging stations, which have two AC Type 2 Normal Chargers with 22kW capacity each, are free and available to use from 05:00 – 20:00 every day.

The BMA plans to install charging stations at parking lots in 10 more public parks and at some government organisations. The goal is to expand the development of public EV charging stations to promote conversion to electric vehicles.

People with EVs can book a slot to charge their vehicle in advance via MEA EV mobile application, available to download for free on IOS and Android, at https://onelink.to/meaev or request more information via the MIEA Call Centre on 1130.

SOURCE: Royal Thai Government | Bangkok Public Relations Office