Electric Vehicles in Thailand

[Gweiloman]

On 6/14/2022 at 3:15 PM, Bandersnatch said:

Home solar and EVs work well together. Once your house batteries are full put the rest in your car. My next EV will have V2L so I can feed back power into the house when needed.

 

Talking about solar charging, would the car be “smart “ enough to charge only from solar power and not from the grid, in the case where it’s an overcast day?

[Jai Dee]

At our local Makro store they recently had a display of electric bikes... 

 

 

 

 

[CLW]

1 hour ago, Gweiloman said:

Talking about solar charging, would the car be “smart “ enough to charge only from solar power and not from the grid, in the case where it’s an overcast day?

I think that is controlled by the solar power installation / grind inverter and not by the EV. But should be possible to program

[KhunLA]

2 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

Talking about solar charging, would the car be “smart “ enough to charge only from solar power and not from the grid, in the case where it’s an overcast day?

MG for example accepts both, AC & DC charging.  My motorcycle does not.

 

https://www.zap-map.com/charge-points/mg-zs-ev-charging-guide/

[Bandersnatch]

6 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

Talking about solar charging, would the car be “smart “ enough to charge only from solar power and not from the grid, in the case where it’s an overcast day?

Zappi chargers can match charge speed to solar production. 
https://myenergi.com/product/zappi/

 

I have the grid connection switched off most of the time and tend to charge my car mostly in the middle of the day. I can monitor the state of charge of both my car and my house batteries from my phone, so it is easy to balance them. 
 

 

[Bandersnatch]

Neta expands its showrooms 

 

 

[Ludzilla]

On 6/17/2022 at 4:34 PM, Jai Dee said:

At our local Makro store they recently had a display of electric bikes... 

 

 

 

 

anybody knows if these are street legal?

[Yellowtail]

39 minutes ago, Ludzilla said:

anybody knows if these are street legal?

Yes

[KhunLA]

28 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Yes

Not sure about that, though yet to see one being cited.  Have a few locally.

 

I know golf carts & ATVs are not allowed on the road.  Not sure what these 3 & 4 wheelers would need to be registered.  Or if any regulation would be enforced.

 

I know the low spec'd ticker cars can not be registered IMIOs & such, unless something changed in the last 6 months or so.   Wuling & POCCO, can be.

 

I would be surprised if anyone would care, as long as not making a nuisance of one's self, and sticking to small sois, or village areas.

[eezergood]

On 6/20/2022 at 4:52 PM, Bandersnatch said:

Neta expands its showrooms 

 

 

No Phuket! 

[eezergood]

Hmmm

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61919581

 

 

[Jai Dee]

Some off-topic troll posts and replies have been removed.

[Bandersnatch]

Fuel prices are currently rising at an alarming rate. It's never been a better time to consider an EV.

 

 

Electricity prices are also rising, but thankfully not at the same rate. Electric bills in Thailand are made up of a standing charge (which you pay even if you don't use any units) a base tariff (the cost of power plants and distribution systems) and fuel tariff, or Ft. Increases in Ft results mainly from a need to import more liquefied natural gas (LNG), Gas makes up 60% of the fuel used to generate electricity in Thailand. The Ft is usually adjusted every four months - expect more increases to come.

 

The best way to power an EV in Thailand is by home solar. We live in the tropics and get great sun all year round and install cost here are cheap.

 

I powered my house and my car exclusively from my home solar this month and despite the rain I didn't use any PEA units.

 

 

 

 

In the MG EV Podcast this week I talked about Home Solar and owning an EV in Thailand. The main topic stats at 18:22  - the video does have chapter marks

 

 

Edited June 25, 2022 by Bandersnatch

[Jai Dee]

 

Electric scooters are in high demand of late in Korat city, Nakhon Ratchasima province, after fuel price increase. A typical one can run for 50 after being charged once. The charging fee costs 9 baht. Thongdee Lodphukiew, 45, bought one from a shop recently. He said he can’t cope with the rise in petrol price and will use the scooter around residence and buy goods from nearby fresh markets. His expenditure was reduced from 250 baht per week for his motorcycle petrol to 18 baht now.

 

 

Source: Khaosod English

[Bandersnatch]

6 hours ago, Jai Dee said:

 

Electric scooters are in high demand of late in Korat city, Nakhon Ratchasima province, after fuel price increase. A typical one can run for 50 after being charged once. The charging fee costs 9 baht. Thongdee Lodphukiew, 45, bought one from a shop recently. He said he can’t cope with the rise in petrol price and will use the scooter around residence and buy goods from nearby fresh markets. His expenditure was reduced from 250 baht per week for his motorcycle petrol to 18 baht now.

 

 

Source: Khaosod English

I did look at electric motorbikes a few months ago, but I am waiting for the EV grants  - EV motorcycles priced up to 150,000 baht can receive 18,000 baht. Prices listed below are before the grant.

 

I did see some assembled in Thailand kits imported from Taiwan. I have LFP batteries in my solar system and they have a long life.

 

https://decogreenenergy.com/index.php/en/

 

 

 

Edited June 27, 2022 by Bandersnatch

[Bandersnatch]

Plugging into the future with EV mobility in Thailand (EVs in the News)

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/specials/40015527

 

"A package of incentives covering the period 2022-2025 

 

In the first two years, the measures will focus on encouraging widespread domestic use of EVs by providing tax breaks and subsidies for imported models and those made locally. The purchase of an EV made by a participating brand will see the buyer receive a subsidy of Bt70,000 to Bt150,000, depending on the type and model of the vehicle.

 

In the last years of the package, the support will mainly be on promoting domestically produced EVs, while cancelling some benefits for imported models."

[Bandersnatch]

Mazda studying plan to launch EVs in Thailand

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/auto/news/2327863/mazda-to-study-ev-plan-in-thailand

[KhunLA]

15 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

I did look at electric motorbikes a few months ago, but I am waiting for the EV grants  - EV motorcycles priced up to 150,000 baht can receive 18,000 baht. Prices listed below are before the grant.

 

I did see some assembled in Thailand kits imported from Taiwan. I have LFP batteries in my solar system and they have a long life.

 

https://decogreenenergy.com/index.php/en/

 

I own the DECO SUSU model (3000w/72v50Ah) and love it.  Not pictured in promos above, but on their website.

 

2000w motor models would more than suffice, and the 1000w models have removable batteries for those living in condos or apartments. <2hr to full charge.

[CLW]

3 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

Mazda studying plan to launch EVs in Thailand

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/auto/news/2327863/mazda-to-study-ev-plan-in-thailand

Only hybrid or PHEV. no pure EV because Mazda simply doesn't have one in their model range. Not even started developing one.

[Bandersnatch]

3 hours ago, CLW said:

Only hybrid or PHEV. no pure EV because Mazda simply doesn't have one in their model range. Not even started developing one.

I am not sure why Japanese legacy autos are so slow to adapt.

[Yellowtail]

10 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

I am not sure why Japanese legacy autos are so slow to adapt.

That's easy, it's because compared to American automakers, they are much less susceptible to government mandates. 

[Bandersnatch]

4 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I own the DECO SUSU model (3000w/72v50Ah) and love it.  Not pictured in promos above, but on their website.

 

2000w motor models would more than suffice, and the 1000w models have removable batteries for those living in condos or apartments. <2hr to full charge.

 

Went to visit my local Deco dealer today to ask about the EV grant. They said that they would start selling the 8 approved models with a grant discount later in the year. Even without the grant they said sales of EV motorbikes are increasing rapidly due to the rising price of 91 and 95.

 

gf took a 1,000 kW motor model out for spin and said it was great fun.

 

According to the shop these models are all grant approved:

 

 

  

 

 

Edited June 28, 2022 by Bandersnatch

[KhunLA]

Finally.

Almost glad mine didn't make the list, didn't miss anything ????

 

As I said a few time, on mine once, usually twice a day.  Where the Honda Wave sat, unless needing to fill the tires, or put gas in it, to ride once every 2 weeks to keep the battery charged.  Sold it after a couple years of that.  Was just a spare in case an oops with the car, which never happened.

[Bandersnatch]

[eezergood]

23 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

Will go to see one of these, will be in BKK that week

 

[eezergood]

Why are these limited to 100kmh? to artificially preserve battery life and integrity I'm assuiming.

 

Not that this is a race car, but there are times when above that speed is required. 

[Bandersnatch]

On 5/22/2022 at 8:03 AM, Bandersnatch said:

I was a little disappointed with the offering by BYD at Korat on Friday. I was hoping (but not expecting) to see the BYD Seal or BYD Han.

One car they did bring was the BYD e6. Not a high luxury car but with a 74 kWh battery and massive boot would make an ideal taxi

 

 

 

BYD has some very exciting cars coming out over the next few months, but one BYD that you can actually buy in Thailand currently is the e6. I was amazed to hear that the LFP blade battery comes with a 500,000km warranty: 

 

 

[Yellowtail]

7 minutes ago, eezergood said:

Why are these limited to 100kmh? to artificially preserve battery life and integrity I'm assuiming.

 

Not that this is a race car, but there are times when above that speed is required. 

You just have to plan a little, what's the hurry? 

 

Not often you have the opportunity to exceed 100km/h in Bangkok, not legally anyway. As a daily-driver it would be fine.  

[eezergood]

2 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

You just have to plan a little, what's the hurry? 

 

Not often you have the opportunity to exceed 100km/h in Bangkok, not legally anyway. As a daily-driver it would be fine.  

I don't live in Bangkok - the fact that it is limited so low is the concern 

[GroveHillWanderer]

3 hours ago, eezergood said:

Why are these limited to 100kmh? to artificially preserve battery life and integrity I'm assuiming.

 

Not that this is a race car, but there are times when above that speed is required. 

It could be to enhance the range, as well.

 

Electric cars top speed: Are they slower than normal cars?

 

Quote

This is because most manufacturers of electric cars limit the top speed to preserve battery charge. Aerodynamic drag increases significantly as speed rises and hence battery power is consumed more rapidly when a high cruising speed is maintained.

I agree that sometimes you need to be able to go over 100 kph. I can't imagine doing a long distance journey in Thailand (or in most countries, for that matter) and being limited to 100 kph. You'd be stuck in the middle lane in among convoys of 10-wheelers for much of the time, unable to get past them.