Electric Vehicles (EV) Thread

[PeteC]

At less than 500kg and 2.5 meters you could come out of the store to find it's been lifted and put into someone's pick up truck.

[Nereus]

Some more from the Ministry of silly ideas. The first thing is, despite the advance in battery technology, there is no way a modern IC engined car is structurally built to support a heavy battery. There are many other technical reasons in addition, but then, if you read a bit further it is some woman spouting off about something of which she knows FA!
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Egat plans to convert used cars into EVs

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... s-into-evs

The state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) plans to develop electric vehicles (EVs) by modifying used cars, aiming for commercial sales in 2020.

Egat wants to modify combustion cars to EVs during a trial period to determine the appropriate cost of modification.
Jiraporn Sirikum, assistant governor for research, innovation and business development, said Egat is teaming up with the National Science and Technology Development Agency to modify three subcompact cars -- Toyota Vios, Honda Jazz and Nissan Almera -- for the trial.

"The cost to modify used cars is expected to be around 300,000 baht to install vital EV components, such as lithium-ion batteries and electric motors, compared with around 500,000 baht before," Ms Jiraporn said. "The price of batteries has declined globally. This will be much cheaper than buying new EVs. For example, a new Tesla costs over 3 million baht."

The modification plan is also aimed at increasing the number of EVs on local roads at a faster pace than waiting for new launches of EV models.

Ms Jiraporn said Egat will invite private garages to take part in the project.

In March, Egat tested 23 EV buses at its power plants nationwide for the trial period.
All EV buses were studied using both normal and quick-charging systems.

Egat's EV plan is part of research and development activities supported by a budget allocation of 3% of annual net profit.

Furthermore, innovation has been emphasised over the past three years with a budget of 1 billion baht annually.
In a related development, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has launched the ERC Sandbox to support innovative research projects in the country's energy and power sectors.

State agencies, educational institutions and local companies can join the ERC Sandbox project to pitch their conceptual proposals until June 28.

ERC will select eligible applicants by Aug 30.

The commission is conducting peer-to-peer energy trading as a new power market structure in preparation for the open market in the country's power sector in the near future.

Ms Jiraporn said Egat is interested in joining the ERC Sandbox project, as well as power trading. EV and micro grid activities are being considered for participation.

Moreover, Egat itself is transforming into a leaner and more flexible organisation to handle the disruption of power technologies.

The agency plans to trim staff from 22,000 to 15,000 by 2023 in a bid to make decisions for important projects more flexible.

Egat is proceeding to make the power generation system nationwide more flexible and to deal with the advent of renewable power resources.

[handdrummer]

EGAT or Egad!

[Dannie Boy]

Whether it’s price viable or not, there have been numerous examples of IC cars being converted to electric mode - take a look at this

[Nereus]

Whether it’s price viable or not, there have been numerous examples of IC cars being converted to electric mode - take a look at this

Apples and Oranges! With exception of the old Beetle that only has limited power and range, the cars shown there are either full chassis 4WD, or 700 / 800 hp super cars to start with.

Here they are talking about: " three subcompact cars -- Toyota Vios, Honda Jazz and Nissan Almera -- for the trial."

I would hazard a bet that you cannot even buy a decent electric motor and control system for 300k Baht!

[hh69]

Whether it’s price viable or not, there have been numerous examples of IC cars being converted to electric mode - take a look at this

Ohhhh thanks!

[oakdale160]

I read an article concerning the quietness of EVs and how some manufacturers may add a humming sound to warn pedestrians about the car.

[STEVE G]

I read an article concerning the quietness of EVs and how some manufacturers may add a humming sound to warn pedestrians about the car.

That would ruin one of the advantages! I had a ride in my colleague's electric Hyundai Ionic the other day and it's impressively silent and smooth at low speeds, it makes IC cars seem like traction engines in comparison.
Rolls Royce always made quiet cars and they never had to put a humming sound on those.

[PeteC]

I would think probable concerns in the future that electric cars are putting drivers to sleep during long trips. But....my brain and ears are used to a diesel engine for many years. A petrol car may now put me to sleep as well!

[Dannie Boy]

I would think probable concerns in the future that electric cars are putting drivers to sleep during long trips. But....my brain and ears are used to a diesel engine for many years. A petrol car may now put me to sleep as well!

You need to get some Iron Maiden music - that should stop you falling asleep!!

[PeteC]

I would think probable concerns in the future that electric cars are putting drivers to sleep during long trips. But....my brain and ears are used to a diesel engine for many years. A petrol car may now put me to sleep as well!

You need to get some Iron Maiden music - that should stop you falling asleep!!

True. I could always put stones in the hub caps as well!

[Nereus]

I read an article concerning the quietness of EVs and how some manufacturers may add a humming sound to warn pedestrians about the car.

I think it is more of a problem with electric scooters. Especially here with the number of twats that insist on riding on the pedestrian footpath.

[Nereus]

True. I could always put stones in the hub caps as well!

Grandad, wots a "hub cap"?

[Nereus]

EV group urges changes to 3-wheeler laws

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ne ... recent_box

The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT) is calling for the Land Transport Department to revise related laws to enable new registration of three-wheelers, mainly emphasising electrified tuk-tuks.

There are two types of registration for three-wheelers, aka tuk-tuks: personal use and public transport.
Yossapong Laoonual, president of the EVAT, said the registration process for tuk-tuks is too complicated and restrictive, unlike for other vehicles.
"Tuk-tuks have been limited by location and purpose," he said.

Tuk-tuks cannot be registered in Bangkok, but they can in other provinces. The department's reasoning is that tuk-tuks are not safe enough to drive legally on roads.

To get around this, many tuk-tuk owners buy old number plates from the days when tuk-tuks could be registered in Bangkok. The plates have no expiry date.

Mr Yossapong said motorists and companies cannot register three-wheelers without listing their purpose of use to the department, which leads officials to decide each case subjectively.

"As a result, regulations for tuk-tuks cause many obstacles to run an assembly business for both fuelled and electrified tuk-tuks," he said. "Our request is to revise the laws to cope with the current situation; meanwhile, tuk-tuks are an iconic and popular vehicle of Thailand to promote the country's tourism sector."

Mr Yossapong said the Vehicle Act of 1979 should be revised to ease registration. The EVAT plans to set up an ad hoc working group to talk with the department.
"Earlier the EVAT talked with two ministries -- Transport and Tourism and Sports -- to consider measures enabling tuk-tuk operation for public and private use, aiming to promote electric tuk-tuks for eco-tourism," he said.

The Netherlands-based Tuk Tuk Factory operates an assembly plant for electric three-wheelers in Thailand, but most tuk-tuks are exported rather than sold here, Mr Yossapong said.

"Once the laws have been revised, local three-wheeler assemblers will get benefits to expand their business, especially electrified tuk-tuks," he said.

Separately, the EVAT will ask the Finance Ministry to consider more tax discount policies for Thai motorists to buy new 100% electric vehicles.
The ministry offers an exemption on excise tax for EV manufacturers from the Board of Investment.

Mr Yossapong said the EV fleet in Thailand stands at 1,100 motorcycles, 201 cars, 85 buses and 58 three-wheelers, so the numbers are limited and full EVs remain unaffordable.

"Privileges for manufacturers are plentiful enough to attract new investment flows, but the local market needs new incentives for the consumer side," he said.

The number of charging stations in Thailand is insufficient, he said, putting the figure at 200 locations nationwide.

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[Nereus]

SAIC Motor-CP ready for local EVs

https://www.bangkokpost.com/auto/news/1 ... -local-evs

Thai-Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor-CP has committed to investing in assembly production for two versions of electric vehicles (EVs) -- plug-in hybrids and battery EVs -- at its facility in Chon Buri, even though all China-made EVs are now imported without tariffs under the Asean-China free trade agreement.

With this agreement, there is no incentive for Chinese manufacturers to invest in EV production in Southeast Asia, including Thailand.

Pongsak Lertruedeewattanavong, vice-president of MG Sales Thailand, SAIC Motor-CP's local subsidiary, said the parent firm submitted its application for battery EVs to the Board of Investment (BoI) after the 1.36-billion-baht application for plug-in hybrid EVs was granted BoI privileges last September.

Mr Pongsak refused to divulge the investment value for the battery EV project because it is being considered by the BoI.

"Both EV versions will be assembled here, for completely knocked-down cars as well as right-hand-drive EVs in Southeast Asia," he said.

SAIC Motor-CP is a joint venture between Thai conglomerate CP Group and Shanghai-based SAIC Motor Corporation. The car assembly plant operates at WHA Seaboard Industrial Estate 2 with an annual capacity of 100,000 units.

Since 2009, SAIC Motor has produced EVs to be sold in China only, with one hybrid EV, five plug-in hybrid EVs and four battery EVs. As of 2018, it has sold 200,000 EVs across the country.

Mr Pongsak said the parent firm plans to allocate half of its annual capacity to make new EVs under the two BoI projects over the long run.

SAIC Motor-CP will introduce the new MG ZS EV to be sold locally on June 20, priced below 1.5 million baht, he said.
Mr Pongsak said the ZS EV is the imported model from China with 0% custom duty, so SAIC Motor-CP is very confident that the model will be competitive in Thailand, even with the high price tag.

This model enjoys an excise tax of 8%. Once SAIC Motor-CP assembles the battery EVs locally, the cars will be subjected to a 0% excise tax during 2020-22 due to the government's short-term incentives to encourage local buyers, then the tax will rise to 2% from 2023 onward.

The ZS EV was displayed at the Bangkok International Motor Show in March, but it did not take bookings.
SAIC Motor-CP plans to install EV charging stations at 107 showrooms and services centres nationwide to support the sales of EVs in the future.

With the two BoI applications, SAIC Motor-CP has withdrawn itself from the government's eco-car scheme because there is no potential opportunity to produce this vehicles in a long run, according to Mr Pongsak.

This is the last year for eco-car applicants to begin production in Thailand.

SAIC Motor-CP was also an applicant for the BoI's eco-car scheme in 2014. Privileges were granted in November 2014 to make 110,000 eco-cars a year, worth 7.6 billion baht.

SAIC Motor-CP is the third car company, following General Motors and Ford, to leave the scheme.
In 2019, MG Sales Thailand is confident local purchases of MG cars can be doubled to 50,000, new EVs sales will be included in this target.

The company posted 6,184 cars sold during January to March, up by 8.1%.
The company set the aggressive target after posting record sales of 23,740 Thai-made vehicles in 2018, a sharp increase of 97.6% from a year before.