Electric Vehicles (EV) Thread

[wenshidi]

Which makes and models are becoming most popular? I see a lot of Oras around but they are not my cup of tea. Not seen a Tesla yet.

Maybe a few supercars too?

[Dannie Boy]

Which makes and models are becoming most popular? I see a lot of Oras around but they are not my cup of tea. Not seen a Tesla yet.

Maybe a few supercars too?

BYD and MG are the most popular EV’s in Thailand because they’re (relatively) cheap. I’ve seen a number of Tesla’s but of course they are a lot more expensive.

[wenshidi]

Are BYDs and MGs assembled locally?
Do Teslas have to be imported from China?

Do they all get subsidies?

[STEVE G]

This is what is happening in Thailand with regard to EV production:

BYD's major investment: On 4 July 2024, BYD opened its state-of-the-art factory in Rayong, within Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor, investing approximately US$900m. BYD expects the facility to play a crucial role in BYD's international expansion, particularly in the ASEAN market

Chinese automakers' presence: Alongside BYD, other major Chinese companies such as Great Wall Motor, Hozon New Energy Automobile, SAIC Motor, Chongqing Changan Automobile, GAC Aion and Chery Automobile are setting up production facilities in Thailand

Isuzu's BEV unveiling: Japan's Isuzu Motors announced plans to build its first BEV, a version of the D-Max pickup truck, in Thailand. This marks a significant step for Isuzu, which holds a 50% share of the Thai pickup market.

Thailand: A Global Hub for Electric Vehicle Production
https://evmagazine.com/news/thailand-a- ... production

[STEVE G]

Do they all get subsidies?

Basically:

For EV cars boasting battery units below 50 kWh and a retail price under THB 2,000,000, a subsidy of THB 50,000 awaits. For their counterparts with battery units surpassing 50 kWh, a more substantial subsidy of THB 100,000 is on offer. Simultaneously, the excise tax is poised to experience a notable reduction, plummeting from 8% to a mere 2%. Customs taxes, too, will witness a cut of up to 40%.

However, these incentives are not without conditions. To avail themselves of the tax benefits and subsidies, manufacturers must commit to producing EVs within the boundaries of Thailand. The criteria dictate that the importation of a single EV car must result in the production of two EV cars within the nation by the culmination of 2026. Alternatively, the same importation must lead to the production of two EV cars in Thailand by the conclusion of 2027.
https://mahanakornpartners.com/thailand ... 2024-2027/

[fft100]

Up at the main post office near the airport yesterday. As usual it was empty, no.queue.and it only took a couple of minutes to post envelopes to the UK and Europe.

However, opposite the entrance outside they have installed 5 or 6 charging points.. These are not where the post trucks/lorries stop.

Just how bad do they think the queues in the post office will get before charging a car there becomes worthwhile ?

Far more practical to install them at main immigration!

Why ??

Unless the queues in main immigration have dropped considerably, it would provide a far longer charging opportunity !

[Dannie Boy]

Up at the main post office near the airport yesterday. As usual it was empty, no.queue.and it only took a couple of minutes to post envelopes to the UK and Europe.

However, opposite the entrance outside they have installed 5 or 6 charging points.. These are not where the post trucks/lorries stop.

Just how bad do they think the queues in the post office will get before charging a car there becomes worthwhile ?

Far more practical to install them at main immigration!

Why ??

Unless the queues in main immigration have dropped considerably, it would provide a far longer charging opportunity !

Although a lot of EV drivers are Thai so wouldn’t go near immigration - anyway aren’t they moving to Blueport soon?

[caller]

Does anyone know the latest situation in respect of where components for Chinese EVs are manufactured? My understanding is, and I could well be wrong, is that basically everything needed was to be shipped to Thailand to assemble here. The Thai Govt. seemed a little slow on the uptake about this, and were encouraging the EV manufacturers to use local manufacturers instead.

[joelle]

Why ??

Unless the queues in main immigration have dropped considerably, it would provide a far longer charging opportunity !

Although a lot of EV drivers are Thai so wouldn’t go near immigration - anyway aren’t they moving to Blueport soon?

Exactly what I was going to answer.
I would think there are more Thai EV drivers than foreigners

[pharvey]

Does anyone know the latest situation in respect of where components for Chinese EVs are manufactured? My understanding is, and I could well be wrong, is that basically everything needed was to be shipped to Thailand to assemble here. The Thai Govt. seemed a little slow on the uptake about this, and were encouraging the EV manufacturers to use local manufacturers instead.

Can't truly/reliably comment on Thai Fabrication, but with a fair to decent understanding of how Chinese companies work, I would say as an absolute minimum all "Key Components" are fabricated in/supplied from China. My honest opinion would be that Thai Plants are "Assembly Only" under Chinese control.

China look for control in all manner of ways - oh yes they invest, but investment does not come cheap. Devil/Sold/Soul as many Africans are now starting to work out....

[pharvey]

I would think there are more Thai EV drivers than foreigners

Pretty sure the Thai's feel the same!!

[2/cb]

They're going to need a few new landfill sites to bury the damn things in a year or two.

[STEVE G]

They're going to need a few new landfill sites to bury the damn things in a year or two.

.

[pharvey]

Perhaps the wrong nationality in the photo above...

* China are the largest EV Producer and Supplier in the world.As they have been with ICEs in past years and probably still are.
* China "Own" Africa and their mineral deposits due to massive repayments due from "Synical Investment" by China and the willingness of Africa to sell out.
* China are the largest miners of "Exotic Metals" - devastating to the environment, but much needed components for the likes of EVs.
* China provide massive and unsustanable grants to their domestic EV producers (how well have the "Construction Companies" faired in China?). The Bubble will burst.

Shall we then go to Oil/Power/Water et al?

To enable the above and the production of the much loved EVs, China requires masses of power and energy - not to mention the incredible amounts of water used in the production of Aluminium (check the percentage of an EV). How do you think this is produced? A gift from above perhaps, a fluke of nature.... Unfortunately not, it's from Coal Fired, Oil Fired and Petrochemical Plants.

Apologies - RANT over.

I am not against EVs as I have mentioned previously, I love my cars - but a little persective is needed. And hell, what happens in Thailand if they have to produce even just the Aluminium components, think of the water and power that is required.

[caller]

Interesting article in the BP this morning. It seems EV sales have plummeted here, and the Thai requirements/targets for manufaturing might become a problem to comply with, so they are considering pulling out of the subsidy/duties incentive they currently benefit from.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/mo ... -subsidies