Japan's Nissan Motor Thailand is teaming up with Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) to install quick-charging outlets in households, supporting the future introduction of the Nissan Leaf, a fully electric vehicle (EV), in the Thai market.
On Monday both parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to study know-how from MEA in developing the outlets for battery EVs.
The MoU is for two years. The outlet type is an EV wall box in a residential garage.
Antoine Barthes, president of Nissan Thailand, said this is part of Nissan's plan to introduce the Leaf here.
"With technical expertise from MEA, Nissan wants to give a clear answer to future buyers that this EV wall charger will be more secure, stable, safe and offer more quality," he said.
"The partnership aims to offer an affordable EV, with a related building block for EV usage. The wall box complies with Nissan's certified Electric Mobility Operator (EMO) scheme, which we use in other countries where the Leaf is marketed."
Mr Barthes said the Leaf comes with a charging type CHAdeMO, Japan's trade name for a quick charging method for battery EVs.
The EV wall chargers and public stations in Thailand must be of the same standard.
The Thai government is expected to set the EV charging standard for public charging as type two, similar to European markets, while CHAdeMO is type four.
He said after Nissan concludes its study of the MoU, it will seek qualified suppliers to provide the EV wall chargers for the Nissan Leaf.
The company also plans to team up with other agencies to support expansion of EV charging stations in provincial areas in the near future.
Mr Barthes refused to disclose a date for launching the Leaf in the local market.
The company is committed to selling the car in Thailand by March 2019 at the latest, he said.
The Yokohama-based parent firm announced in March 2018 the Leaf will be introduced in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, but the model has yet to be marketed in any countries in the region.
Nissan recently asked Frost & Sullivan to conduct research on the future of EVs in Southeast Asia.
In Thailand, over 300 people participated in the study.
The detailed report for Thailand found there is significant latent demand for EVs, with 44% of respondents saying they would undoubtedly consider an EV when they make their next purchase decision.
"It is clear that Nissan expects a potential EV market to develop in Thailand," said Mr Barthes.