The Government of Thailand plans to begin transitioning public transport vehicles from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles (EVs), with buses, vans and taxis identified as the first phase of the country’s broader EV adoption strategy. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the government is developing the transition framework, although specific vehicle numbers, investment requirements and implementation timelines have not yet been announced.
The initiative will involve replacing ageing public transport vehicles with electric models. The government is also considering measures for the deregistration, scrapping and dismantling of replaced vehicles. The Ministry of Finance, Excise Department and Ministry of Industry are discussing the approach, while the Ministry of Transport will be involved in determining vehicle deregistration requirements. Private-sector participation in vehicle disposal is also being considered.
The government said prioritising public transport vehicles could deliver wider environmental benefits because buses, vans and taxis are used frequently and have high levels of public exposure. Replacing older vehicles is expected to reduce energy consumption as well as emissions of particulate matter, including PM2.5, and carbon dioxide. Private vehicles will continue to be supported under the existing EV 3.5 measure, which provides government support of THB50,000 per vehicle.
The public transport transition forms part of Thailand’s broader green transition and energy reform agenda. The government is also developing an old-for-new vehicle trade-in programme to encourage private vehicle owners to switch to EVs. However, the programme remains under discussion, while the public transport transition still requires agreement on deregistration procedures, vehicle scrapping standards, private-sector participation and implementation responsibilities.