Electric Vehicles in Thailand

[Niltava]

Thanks, yes we plan to test drive before we buy.

 

One more dumb question - are all the EV charging points in Thailand compatible with all cars? Do I need to subscribe to one provider or can I simply "pay as I go" with any provider?

 

Best wishes,

 

N

[JBChiangRai]

20 minutes ago, Niltava said:

Thanks, yes we plan to test drive before we buy.

 

One more dumb question - are all the EV charging points in Thailand compatible with all cars? Do I need to subscribe to one provider or can I simply "pay as I go" with any provider?

 

Best wishes,

 

N

Everyone I have found is compatible.

[Ralf001]

I have little knowledge of these sewing machine cars but.....

 

My daily commute to and from work is 78km each way takes 1hr give or take.

 

bit of a storm earlier this week in the Sriracha/Pintong area had the 7 motorway well flooded at the Laem Chabang intersection.

 

Created heavy traffic congestion that resulted in my 1 hr commute taking 2.5hrs.

 

I was fine with half a tank of dinosaur juice in the tank 2 packs of smokes and 6 pack of leos on the passenger seat but had me pondering.

 

If I owned one of these sewing machine vehicle and was a bit low on battery but enough for a typical commute would I have made it home ?

[Bandersnatch]

14 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

I have little knowledge of these sewing machine cars but.....

 

but I'm going to share my ignorance with you because I'm that sort of a guy 

 

16 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Created heavy traffic congestion that resulted in my 1 hr commute taking 2.5hrs.

 

I was fine with half a tank of dinosaur juice in the tank 2 packs of smokes and 6 pack of leos on the passenger seat but had me pondering.

 

If I owned one of these sewing machine vehicle and was a bit low on battery but enough for a typical commute would I have made it home ?

 

"I have little knowledge" shows just how little knowledge he actually has as he thinks EVs are like ICE cars that run their engines while sitting in traffic. 

[Alotoftravel]

Due to recent floods, I read on Facebook that car insurance does not cover water damage battery due to flood . Is this norm for 1sr class insurance in Thailand ? For those who bought cars that includes insurance , I hope flood and fire is included . Any thought about which insurance company has better coverage ? 

[Ralf001]

8 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

 

but I'm going to share my ignorance with you because I'm that sort of a guy 

 

 

"I have little knowledge" shows just how little knowledge he actually has as he thinks EVs are like ICE cars that run their engines while sitting in traffic. 

 

So... you have little knowledge as well.

 

When EV's are rolling at crawling speed... with air con and mostly likely the radio  they use zero battery... is that what you are saying ?

 

cheers champ.

[Bandersnatch]

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

So... you have little knowledge as well.

 

When EV's are rolling at crawling speed... with air con and mostly likely the radio  they use zero battery... is that what you are saying ?

 

cheers champ.

 

 

Unlike you I have owned EVs in Thailand for years. I currently own 2.

I started this discussion about EVs in Thailand 2 years ago. I am the top contributor as well as being the OP.

 

I have produced several videos about EVs that has meant spending many hours in them with the aircon running. So I can tell you from experience that 2.5hrs of aircon would only used a couple % of the battery, but I don't expect you to take my world for it.

 

Tesla's come with a feature called "camp mode"  

 

"In an eight-hour period, the typical battery consumption of Camp Mode is roughly 10% of the charge"

https://www.notateslaapp.com/tesla-reference/830/tesla-camp-mode-a-comprehensive-guide

 

 

[KhunLA]

2 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

Everyone I have found is compatible.

To add to that, yes, you will need to subscribe to the different vendors.  All quite easy, after a quick learning curve.  Some payment differences, through app, pre-loaded, bank transfer, or CC.

 

I would highly advice not to register with Evolt, very few fast charger, terrible network, and can't withdraw funds once on app.O

We use EV Station Pluz & PEA Volta almost exclusively.  Since having a MG, registered with them and have used them a lot in the past, but like the EV Station Pluz locations @ PTT Parks, with plenty of munchies (7-11) available.  Usually hit in the AM, and being our 1st meal for the day.

 

O&A (out & about) now, and seems we eat as much from there, as we do restaurants 

 

 

[Ralf001]

Just now, Bandersnatch said:

 

 

Unlike you I have owned EVs in Thailand for years. I currently own 2.

I started this discussion about EVs in Thailand 2 years ago. I am the top contributor as well as being the OP.

 

I have produced several videos about EVs that has meant spending many hours in them with the aircon running. So I can tell you from experience that 2.5hrs of aircon would only used a couple % of the battery, but I don't expect you to take my world for it.

 

Tesla's come with a feature called "camp mode"  

 

"In an eight-hour period, the typical battery consumption of Camp Mode is roughly 10% of the charge"

https://www.notateslaapp.com/tesla-reference/830/tesla-camp-mode-a-comprehensive-guide

 

 

ok well answer the question.

 

distance to home - 78km.

battery distance to empty - 90km

typical drive time is 1hr.

road flooded drive time is 2.5hrs.

 

would I have got home or would I have been stranded with no battery.

 

[Bandersnatch]

26 minutes ago, Alotoftravel said:

Due to recent floods, I read on Facebook that car insurance does not cover water damage battery due to flood

 

If you like EOW are the sort of person who likes to go driving in over a meter of water can I suggest you buy a Fomm EV they are available to buy in Thailand for ฿500k. 

 

 

[Bandersnatch]

8 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

ok well answer the question.

 

distance to home - 78km.

battery distance to empty - 90km

typical drive time is 1hr.

road flooded drive time is 2.5hrs.

 

 

 

I always set my EV range to adaptive. If you like to drive over 120kph then you will see the range dropping. However, if you are in slow moving traffic your range will increase substantially, it's called "hypermiling"

 

8 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

would I have got home 

 

yes you would

[Ralf001]

4 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

 

 

I always set my EV range to adaptive. If you like to drive over 120kph then you will see the range dropping. However, if you are in slow moving traffic your range will increase substantially, it's called "hypermiling"

 

 

yes you would

 

cool  so hypermiling would have got me home.

 

Thanks for answering what I assumed (wrongly as a butthurt sewing machine owner thought an insult was the  answer was to be the the right angle)to be a basic question.

[KhunLA]

17 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

ok well answer the question.

 

distance to home - 78km.

battery distance to empty - 90km

typical drive time is 1hr.

road flooded drive time is 2.5hrs.

 

would I have got home or would I have been stranded with no battery.

 

Flooded/heavy traffic and you need to go 78km and car states you got 90km left ... well, nuff said.

 

Adding any other opinion would be considered offensive.

[ExpatOilWorker]

2 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

Everyone I have found is compatible.

It is all so easy, until it is not.

 

[Pib]

3 hours ago, Niltava said:

Hello everybody,

 

My 22 year old Honda CR-V has finally given the ghost and so I'm looking to buy a new car, probably a small SUV.

 

Trying to decide between a hybrid (either Honda HR-V or Toyota Yaris Cross) or an EV, the front runner being the Volvo EX30 CORE that is about to arrive on Thai roads.

 

My main concerns about an EV are probably pretty typical:

1) range anxiety - I like to get out of Bangkok into some pretty remote areas - how widespread are charging points across Thailand and how rapidly is the number increasing?

2) We own a house in Bangkok so presume we can install a wall charger - do I need to get our electricity supply evaluated first and who can do this for me? Would a Volvo technician do it for me before installing the wall charger?

 

Sorry, I'm sure there are loads of questions like this on this forum so if this post betrays just how new I am to this please feel free to tell me to read all 168 pages, or point me to some useful english language resources that might answer my questions.

 

Thanks!

 

N

 

1 .   The Volvo EX30 EV is just fine.   Also checkout/test drive the BYD Atto 3.  Just be sure to visit showrooms "and do test drives" of various EVs.  Lots of cut-throat pricing for ICEV and EV right now so be sure to watch for promotions/sales.

 

2.   Plenty of DC Fast Chargers for long trips.  A DC Fast Charger will charge your EV from 0 to 100% in about an hour.

 

3.   For a wall charger your home will need to have 100A service or you will need to have a second set of power lines and at least 45A meter installed.   To determine what service you have go look at the PEA/MEA electric meter for  your house....if it says something like 30/100A or

30(100)A that means you have 100A service.  But if it says something smaller like 15/45A, 5/15A, etc., then you would have to have a second set of lines and a 15/45A meter run to your house to power the wall charger which requires 32A.   If you have a 15/45A service for your home you'll still need to upgrade of 30/100A "or" install a second 15/45A circuit/meter dedicated to the wall charger.  ***You definitely want a wall charger as it makes charging your EV as easy as charging  your smartphone....and you'll probably find out you'll rarely need to use a DC Fast Charger on trips unless they are stretching out to say a "radius" of 150-200 Km or more assuming you buy an EV with a 400-500Km range.

 

Good luck.

 

 

[ExpatOilWorker]

26 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

ok well answer the question.

 

distance to home - 78km.

battery distance to empty - 90km

typical drive time is 1hr.

road flooded drive time is 2.5hrs.

 

would I have got home or would I have been stranded with no battery.

 

You would still need a toilet 🚻 break after the 6 Leo.

[Ralf001]

10 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Flooded/heavy traffic and you need to go 78km and car states you got 90km left ... well, nuff said.

 

Adding any other opinion would be considered offensive.

reading you struggle with or are your eyes painted on ?

[Bandersnatch]

20 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

It is all so easy, until it is not.

 

First week of owning my new EV I visited all the main EV charging companies (Most are conveniently located within a few minutes of my house) I logged onto the app, setup my car and payment details and did a test charge.

 

But if you are the sort of person who likes to live dangerously  - don't bother with all of that just wait until you have 10% of charge and you are miles from home to find out your card isn't compatible. 

 

How many times I have said it 'EVs are not for everyone"  

 

If you're an Idiot "EVs are not for you"

[Ralf001]

2 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

 

First week of owning my new EV I visited all the main EV charging companies (Most are conveniently located within a few minutes of my house) I logged onto the app, setup my car and payment details and did a test charge.

 

I live and work in Chonburi, which EV charging companies should I download an APP for and set up an account ?

[Bandersnatch]

2 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

I live and work in Chonburi, which EV charging companies should I download an APP for and set up an account ?

 

Check out this discussion 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1308177-rate-charging-suppliers-based-on-ease-of-use

 

[Pib]

4 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

I live and work in Chonburi, which EV charging companies should I download an APP for and set up an account ?

 

Check out below Thailand EV Charger thread.

 

[Ralf001]

6 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

 

Check out this discussion 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1308177-rate-charging-suppliers-based-on-ease-of-use

 

Cool thanks, will look into it.

The place I fuel up (company card) with diesel do not have a charge stations that I have seen.....

but then I throw in 80lt of diesel (in a few minutes) and that lasts me a week so have not taken much notice of EV owners drinking lattes for an hour whilst their sewing machine charge up.

[vinny41]

40 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

ok well answer the question.

 

distance to home - 78km.

battery distance to empty - 90km

typical drive time is 1hr.

road flooded drive time is 2.5hrs.

 

would I have got home or would I have been stranded with no battery.

 

I have seen reports in the EV facebook groups  of batteries being unstable or unreliable once the battery drops below 20% some EV owners reporting range drops from 12km to 0km in less than 30 seconds

 

[ExpatOilWorker]

9 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

 

First week of owning my new EV I visited all the main EV charging companies (Most are conveniently located within a few minutes of my house) I logged onto the app, setup my car and payment details and did a test charge.

 

But if you are the sort of person who likes to live dangerously  - don't bother with all of that just wait until you have 10% of charge and you are miles from home to find out your card isn't compatible. 

 

How many times I have said it 'EVs are not for everyone"  

 

If you're and Idiot "EV are not for you"

Driving used to be about freedom and the open road, they even made movies and countless songs about that absolute sense of freedom. 

Now it is all about planning and having a phone full of apps. I truly feel sorry for you, you are serving hard time in a self-created EV jail.

[Pib]

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

I have little knowledge of these sewing machine cars but.....

 

My daily commute to and from work is 78km each way takes 1hr give or take.

 

bit of a storm earlier this week in the Sriracha/Pintong area had the 7 motorway well flooded at the Laem Chabang intersection.

 

Created heavy traffic congestion that resulted in my 1 hr commute taking 2.5hrs.

 

I was fine with half a tank of dinosaur juice in the tank 2 packs of smokes and 6 pack of leos on the passenger seat but had me pondering.

 

If I owned one of these sewing machine vehicle and was a bit low on battery but enough for a typical commute would I have made it home ?

 

I have a BYD Atto Extended Range (60KW battery).  It has a 480 NEDC or 420WLTP range rating.  Realworld I get around 440Km in combined city and highway driving.   A 78Km daily round trip would allow me to make such a trip at least 5 times with some battery left over....or said another way 5 days worth of 78Km trips.   If you get stuck in traffic and just inch along for a few hours you will not burn much battery juice....since the electric motor is not needing to power the EV too far since you are stuck in traffic.    

 

And why worry about a low battery charge assuming you top-up the charge every few days just to play it safe.  Or you can live dangerously and just let the charge get really low....then you'll will want to drink the whole six pack as you will be piss444ed at yourself.

 

[Pib]

9 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

I have seen reports in the EV facebook groups  of batteries being unstable or unreliable once the battery drops below 20% some EV owners reporting range drops from 12km to 0km in less than 30 seconds

 

No doubt this happens on some models but assuming a person has an EV with a range of say at least 400Km and they let the charge get down to only 12Km (which was probably only about 3% charge remaining), well, they probably deserve to "run out of juice" on the road. 

 

 

[vinny41]

Wet and Cold in the UK

How far can electric cars REALLY go?? – we drive 12 until they DIE! Tesla, BYD & more | What Car?

Lexus did travel a further 21 miles or 33km when the battery was showing zero

[Bandersnatch]

19 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Driving used to be about freedom and the open road, they even made movies and countless songs about that absolute sense of freedom. 

Now it is all about planning and having a phone full of apps. I truly feel sorry for you, you are serving hard time in a self-created EV jail.

 

My EV has 580km of range from it's 82.5kWh LFP battery. Since that first week I have never had to pay for any charge. I have an off-grid solar system (no PEA) that powers my house, 2 EVs and an electric motorbike.

 

My EV is a sports car with 3.8 seconds 0-100kph that's what the 3.8s is on the back of the car.

 

 

A video with my Thai friend in the car

 

 

[vinny41]

2 minutes ago, Pib said:

No doubt this happens on some models but assuming a person has an EV with a range of say at least 400Km and they let the charge get down to only 12Km (which was probably only about 3% charge remaining), well, they probably deserve to "run out of juice" on the road. 

 

 

It happens when someone aims to use a charging station and then finds on arrival charging station is out of order and the next available charging station battery stated sufficient number of km to get to the next charging station but then readings become unstable or unreliable

[Pib]

2 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

It happens when someone aims to use a charging station and then finds on arrival charging station is out of order and the next available charging station battery stated sufficient number of km to get to the next charging station but then readings become unstable or unreliable

Yeap....quite understandable.  Best to avoid letting the EV charge get below say around 25% when the trip involves use of DC Fast Chargers because if there is a healthy distance between chargers a person shouldn't try to squeeze too many electrons out of the battery between top-ups as they will surely run into chargers that don't work/not available as hoped.   A Murphy's Law will surely strike.