Bandersnatch

Some good contributions from @Pib over on the “Are you thinking of buying a BYD” discussion which was started to try and show that BYDs all catch fire in China. Here we try to keep the discussion focused on EVs in Thailand

A lot of buzz about the BYD Seal. some more gossip about the price, please excuse the Google translation. I think the cheapest one has the BYD Atto 3 Extended Range 61kWh battery. Next has the 82.5kWh with RWD Then the AWD

Glad I bought my Electric motorbike in time to get the discount. Currently debating bringing forward the purchase of my second EV - bad case of FOMO

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Rather than spending tax payers money on fossil fuel subsidies it could be spent on roads instead. "Globally, fossil fuel subsidies were $7 trillion or 7.1 percent of GDP in 2022, reflecting a $2 trillion increase since 2020" https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/climate-change/energy-subsidies

My main solar components cost about ฿500k. It powers my house and EV. I haven’t used any grid power in the last year. My payback is less than 6yrs.

The cost of providing electricity is not fixed, it varies with demand. To lower the overall cost we need to flatten the demand curve and remove the most expensive peaks. Some people still seem to think that EVs are the problem not the solution. Many EVs - all BYDs and the latest MGs come with bidirectional charging. “Batteries on wheels: California to mandate bidirectional charging on EVs from 2027” will mean that all EVs will soon have bidirectional charging. https://thedriven.io/2023/05/05/batteries-on-wheels-california-to-mandate-bidirectional-charging-on-evs-from-2027/ If you have, solar, home batteries or an EV this video looks at how smart tariffs can flatten the demand curve. If you want to understand how smart electricity pricing can reflect the actual cost of electricity in real time watch this video. Yes, these videos are from the UK but they show the direction we should all be going.

Car looks great, I have done some podcasts with Miles Roberts he knows his stuff. In the video below the MG owners club at Swavesey, near Cambridge is featured, brought back memories of many visits buying bits for a restoration.

Yes it’s raining now and yes we are in the rainy season, but

How much have you paid for charging an EV in Thailand and what charging companies have you used?

Rather than spending tax payers money on fossil fuel subsidies it could be spent on roads instead. "Globally, fossil fuel subsidies were $7 trillion or 7.1 percent of GDP in 2022, reflecting a $2 trillion increase since 2020" https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/climate-change/energy-subsidies I charge my EV in the middle of the day after my house batteries are full. I would love to be paid to feed back to the grid at times of peak demand but the feed-in system in Thailand is a low flat rate and only for those with small 5kW systems or smaller. I don't have bi-directional charging but will get it on my next EV.

You think that the US will stop car factories in Thailand from selling cars in Thailand - what do you think they are going to do about it?

Not only EV batteries are getting cheaper but also home solar batteries. Back in 2017 I was shopping for home solar batteries at a green energy show in BKK and was quoted: ฿150,000 for 5.6kWh or ฿26,785 per kWh. Four years later I paid: ฿68,000 for 9kWh or ฿7,555 per kWh

5 years ago I bought a million Baht of gold bricks. The price then was ฿18,000 per Baht. Today I just sold 3 Baht for close to ฿33,000 each. My investment strategy is simple, I keep the original million baht in gold. If the price goes up I sell, if it goes down I buy. I never sell at the top or buy at the bottom but if I can sell or buy at least one Baht brick and still keep my million Baht in gold I do.

Thanks should have had my coffee before doing any sums ????

I like to talk kWhs in Thai Baht. Please correct my maths if I get this wrong 32 batteries @ 0.28kWh = 8.96kWh for 146,924.49 Thai Baht https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=4051&From=USD&To=THB 16,397.82 Baht/kWh I was expecting more of a saving for going DIY

Still waiting for the first H2 car and H2 public filling station (not counting the Chonburi prototype project which cost nearly 100 million baht) to arrive in Thailand Meanwhile the rest of the world is quietly giving up on H2 for transport

How many have seen headlines like this from Toyota? People forget that Toyota has been making claims about solid state batteries since 2014. I have written off Toyota long ago

Rather than posting a video of a solar setup in the states, why not ask to see what members are using here in Thailand? This my setup: 3 x5kW Growatt inverters and 4 x 9kWh nRuit LFP batteries with 20kW of PV

Climate change has ravaged India’s rice stock. Now its export ban could deepen a global food crisis https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/28/business-india/india-rice-ban-export-farmers-loss-intl-hnk-dst/index.html Rice markets could face further turmoil as Thailand urges farmers to plant less rice. Thailand, the world’s second largest exporter of rice, is encouraging its farmers to plant less of the crop in order to save water. The move follows India’s ban on non-basmati white rice to ensure “adequate availability” in its domestic markets. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/03/thailand-wants-its-farmers-to-plant-less-rice-to-save-water.html

Showing a couple of friends the MG4 D in Robinson today. They are both planning to get solar and were very impressed with the car and it’s value at ฿769k. I got talking to the sales girl and if I understood her Thai correctly she could supply me a wall charger but not installation. I am now seriously considering buying an MG4 D as a second EV before the government grant and MG discounts end. If I run down my house batteries charging my 2 EVs I can always use the MG4’s V2L to support the house load over night.

Criteria for choosing your next EV in Thailand. There are many factors to consider, probably too many and everyone’s situation is different, but we all have one thing in common, we will be driving in Thailand. I am not talking about a trip to Big C, just about any car would be fine for that. I am talking about longer trips. Yesterday after a full busy day in Bangkok I got into my car already tired for a 6 hour journey home. 6 hours of driving in heavy rain, in darkness and heavy traffic. Lights: Road lighting in Thailand is poor to non existent. I passed many cars driving slowly with tiny puddles of light in front of them. I was grateful to have LED lights with a great spread of light so I could see where I was going. Auto beam is useful as well as auto wipers. Torque and acceleration: Being stuck behind heavy trucks crawling up a mountain in all lanes, you have be able take your chances when they come and punch it. Adaptive cruise control makes a long drive less stressful. ABS Brakes and Regenerate braking: Thai driver don’t like to use their indicators in case you close the gap. As soon as you lift off the accelerator you are already breaking with regen before you even hit the brake pedal. Also regen is great for the way down the mountain. Handling: heavy batteries positioned low down in the car makes it feel well planted a sure footed in the corners. Conclusion: Want to know if your next car inspires confidence and is comfortable to drive for long distances? I suggest trying to rent one for a long, dark, wet drive, because your choice could well save your life.

Latest MG EV prices here in Surin, confirm discount on MG 4 and no wall box. sales guy said Government Grant finishes at the end of next month. Considered a rumor until I hear confirmation. Anybody heard anything?