Electric Vehicles (EV) Thread

[handdrummer]

Oh, one more question (for now); What would be the best of the cheapest cars available here?

I'm leary of English cars since an English mechanic warned me to never buy one as they spend as much time in the shop as on the road. That was some time ago, so that may no longer be true.

Cheapest is relative.
I personally would only consider 3, MG EP & ZS (SAIC) or Ora Good Cat (GWM).
We have the MG ZS (ICE), and also would NOT own a UK, EU or USA car. Love our ZS.

2 other options, for short & slow drives around town only:
https://www.autofun.co.th/news/%E0%B9%8 ... 8%93-37641

I've been reading the GWM Ora Good Cat website.

I agree about the UK, EU & USA cars. The last good US car I owned was a 1949 Plymouth business coupe and that was in 1956. $200. My stepfather was a used car salesman and took it in on trade.

I'll have to go to Bangkok to see it & test drive it. Maybe they'll open a showroom in Hua Hin in the not to distant future.

[hhinner]

Oh, one more question (for now); What would be the best of the cheapest cars available here?

I'm leary of English cars since an English mechanic warned me to never buy one as they spend as much time in the shop as on the road. That was some time ago, so that may no longer be true.

Cheapest is relative.
I personally would only consider 3, MG EP & ZS (SAIC) or Ora Good Cat (GWM).
We have the MG ZS (ICE), and also would NOT own a UK, EU or USA car. Love our ZS.

2 other options, for short & slow drives around town only:
https://www.autofun.co.th/news/%E0%B9%8 ... 8%93-37641

I've been reading the GWM Ora Good Cat website.

I agree about the UK, EU & USA cars. The last good US car I owned was a 1949 Plymouth business coupe and that was in 1956. $200. My stepfather was a used car salesman and took it in on trade.

I'll have to go to Bangkok to see it & test drive it. Maybe they'll open a showroom in Hua Hin in the not to distant future.

The old Chevrolet showroom is currently being refurbished by GWM.

[KhunLA]

I'll have to go to Bangkok to see it & test drive it. Maybe they'll open a showroom in Hua Hin in the not to distant future.

Building one as we type, up on Phetkasem N, just before the Mazda dealer, if memory serves. Noticed it last time I was there. Should be done shortly, and relative

[Nereus]

Govt backs electric vehicles

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/22 ... c-vehicles

Policy aligns with 'Detroit of Asia' goal

The government has affirmed its willingness to fully support the production and sale of electric vehicles (EVs), saying Thailand is aiming to become a regional hub of the EV industry.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana on Friday said that Thailand is determined to cut carbon dioxide emissions as much as possible.

"As part of that, the government now has a policy of not only supporting the increasing use of electric vehicles in the country but to likewise make Thailand a hub for producing electric cars and motorbikes in the Asean region," Mr Thanakorn said.

Along with government policy to improve competitiveness, the policy also aligns with Thailand's "Detroit of Asia" ambitions, he said.

The Excise Department has already set aside some 3 billion baht to fund a price subsidy plan for electric vehicles sold in the country while more budget will possibly be approved by the cabinet later if needed, he said.

Mr Thanakorn was referring to the cabinet resolution to offer a price subsidy ranging from 70,000 to 150,000 baht to a buyer of an electric car sold in Thailand by companies taking part in the government's electronic vehicle promotion programme.

Following the resolution, the department will discuss with car companies their pricing structure in order to specify how much each electric vehicle model will receive in price subsidies under the project, he said.

Electric vehicles are increasingly gaining attention from car buyers, something noted at the 2022 Motor Show held at Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi, he said, citing findings from a survey conducted at the event which ends April 3.

The survey was ordered by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to gauge feedback about the government's electronic vehicle price subsidy programme.

Two major auto companies -- already taking part in the government's EV price subsidy programme -- that are selling electric cars at the show are Great Wall Motor and MG, said the spokesman.

Great Wall Motor has in its stock 1,500 electric cars for sale in Thailand while MG has 500, he said.

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), meanwhile, announced a plan to install a hundred more MEA EV chargers in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan by the end of this year, while also planning to build more EV charging stations in the provinces.

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has set up a booth at the 43rd Bangkok International Motor Show 2022 in Nonthaburi province. The MEA plans to install a hundred more MEA EV chargers in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan by the end of this year. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

mea charging station.jpg (258.01 KiB) Viewed 875 times

[STEVE G]

Oh, one more question (for now); What would be the best of the cheapest cars available here?

I'm leary of English cars since an English mechanic warned me to never buy one as they spend as much time in the shop as on the road. That was some time ago, so that may no longer be true.

MG cars are Chinese not English, they basically just bought the old brand name. The original MG cars haven't been produced since around the end of the 1970s.

[KhunLA]

Here's the big EV negative for me, RANGE, under 'normal' highway driving. For us, I usually drive 100-120 when possible. So at least 90, speed in vid.

I guesstimated 200-250 range at hyw speeds earlier ... from this vid @ 5:45, that was optimistic. Range tested with the 44kWh battery, so new model is 50kWh, so 10ish % more, which you would not take your battery down to -0- anyway, so we'll call that reserve.

New model (50kWh) should get you close to 175-200 kms, here in Thailand (using AC) before stopping for charge up. The vid estimated, if drained, they'd get 200-220, BUT, primo conditions, constant 90 kph and NO AC.

Couple other vids out there also, testing in more real life highway driving. One in Thai. If you peeked at the link I posted, NEDC (400 kms range) drives @ 37 kph, and WLTP (320) @ 47 kph. If just around town, then may be fairly accurate and you'll get 320 kms, minus 10-20% again, as your reserve. MG offers a 70kWh pack, but not available here yet.

I'll be keeping my ICE version of the ZS, as we're out & about way too much, and wife says I'm way to impatient to drive any slower, or make that many pit stops. 1 mandatory to visit daughter in Krung Thep, as I'm 100 kms south of HH. Then need to top up again, when I get there, if not waiting till overnight charge.

Wonder if the 'Tinker' cars, Wuling & Pocco will be qualifying and passing on any subsidy to the consumer. Now 400k & 500k for short & slow around town driving. Maybe need to charge up every 75-100 kms. Although my E-motorcycle give me 2 or 3 days already, < 75 kms. Tinker car would be nice for brutal March & April, and that spot of unpredictable rain.

[Nereus]

Full charge ahead

A good report on EV cars at the current Motorshow:

https://www.bangkokpost.com/auto/review ... arge-ahead

The car-buying season is back with the staging of this year's Bangkok International Motor Show reflecting the latest trends in the Thai automobile market.

A total of 27 automobile and eight motorcycle companies are participating in this year's event, with 30 new and updated models being introduced.

However, the most noticeable trend at the show, running at IMPACT Challenger until April 3, is the emergence of electric vehicles (EVs), with more than 20 models being exhibited.

The government recently slashed import duties and excise tax on imported EVs in addition to offering subsidies of 70,000-150,000 baht depending on battery size and VAT reduction, resulting in significant price drops.

Electric bright sparks:

A range of available cars at the link

[KhunLA]

Electric bright sparks:
A range of available cars at the link

I'm surprised they didn't highlight the most affordable EV
Actually about the same price as 2 of the most popular top end models of ICEs 'made in Thailand' entry level sedans.

Untitled.png (204.47 KiB) Viewed 773 times

[lindosfan1]

I know this article will be a bit exaggerated it is from from the daily fail, however it does raise some very valid points.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/arti ... -cars.html

[Dannie Boy]

Although I’m sure that in time, electric car will make sense, but at the moment there are a number of drawbacks, notably the lack of a reliable infrastructure (specifically in the UK, although this applies to most countries), the fairly expensive cost of charging at a public charging station and the current battery technology - all car manufacturers exaggerate the claimed range compared to real-world actual. As the above article states, if your journeys are not long-distance then you’ll probably have no problems and if you can charge at home, they make financial sense.

So two major changes are required - a far bigger, reliable, affordable charging infrastructure and (as promised for a number of years) the introduction of Solid State battery technology. Hopefully all of this will coincide with the banning (in the UK and some other markets) of the sale of ICE cars, but don’t bet your last $ on it happening!!

[pharvey]

Although I’m sure that in time, electric car will make sense, but at the moment there are a number of drawbacks, notably the lack of a reliable infrastructure (specifically in the UK, although this applies to most countries), the fairly expensive cost of charging at a public charging station and the current battery technology - all car manufacturers exaggerate the claimed range compared to real-world actual. As the above article states, if your journeys are not long-distance then you’ll probably have no problems and if you can charge at home, they make financial sense.

So two major changes are required - a far bigger, reliable, affordable charging infrastructure and (as promised for a number of years) the introduction of Solid State battery technology. Hopefully all of this will coincide with the banning (in the UK and some other markets) of the sale of ICE cars, but don’t bet your last $ on it happening!!

Fully agree. Simply cost prohibitive at the moment and range a major issue for many. I would also add that many in the UK do not have access to offroad parking at home, and therefore home charging is not an option - this is a huge consideration.

[lindosfan1]

Dannie boy wrote

As the above article states, if your journeys are not long-distance then you’ll probably have no problems and if you can charge at home, they make financial sense.

This is not practical if you cannot park in your drive. Many opeople park in the street. I live in a block of flats many people have to park in the street. The town I live in more park in the street than in their drives. I live in a block of flats, we have allocated parking spaces but some distance away from any electrical point, the cost of installing them would be horrendous.
One point the article did not make is all the cars being made are saloons. I have not seen one car which will take a mobility scooter or wheelchair, their probably are other specialities needed.
The cars being designed at the moment are not suitable or affordable for a large proportion of drivers.

[STEVE G]

A colleague of mine has an electric Hyundai and he now charges it when he makes trips to the city because buying electricity on a public charging point is actually cheaper than paying for parking.

[hhinner]

Just curious. Car values obviously drop over their lifetimes. But how do the batteries affect the value of EVs? If batteries need replacing after say 8 years, how is the value affected as the car's age approaches 7 then 8 years? Then how is it going to be affected when the batteries have just been replaced after 8 years? As with ICE cars, will the resale value differ in different markets?

[lindosfan1]

Just curious. Car values obviously drop over their lifetimes. But how do the batteries affect the value of EVs? If batteries need replacing after say 8 years, how is the value affected as the car's age approaches 7 then 8 years? Then how is it going to be affected when the batteries have just been replaced after 8 years? As with ICE cars, will the resale value differ in different markets?

That is another problem would you buy a secondhand car, how much has the battery quality dropped. It costs thousands
to replace, would you buy a second hand car when the most expensive component is the battery