The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is set to receive 500 electric air-conditioned buses this year as part of its transition away from natural gas (NGV) buses in Thailand. The delivery is part of a broader plan to lease 1,520 EV buses over seven years (2025–2032) under a THB15.3 billion budget.
BMTA has confirmed the updated clean-energy strategy has been submitted to the Ministry of Transport. The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is currently finalising the proposal for Cabinet approval. Despite delays, BMTA anticipates the remaining EV buses will be delivered by 2026.
By 2029, BMTA intends to retire 60% of its 2,300 combustion-engine buses. The agency, operating a fleet of 2,884 buses, expects to significantly reduce operational costs, as EV buses are up to three times cheaper to run than combustion-engine models. Route optimisation efforts are also underway to boost efficiency.
