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.