Electric Vehicles in Thailand

[KhunLA]

2 minutes ago, Melpomene said:

Many thanks - always wondered how this works.

 

I don't yet own an EV, but have started thinking about it more and more.  Planning to start looking at a few models over the next couple of months. 

Good for you, as I'm a big fan, after only have (MG ZS) for 6+ months.

 

I would never own an ICE again.  Especially now, since same price as ICEs with govt incentives.  Which also means, there's no 1st or 2nd year depreciation, as our ZS is 'insured value' for more than we paid.   Since value is based on MSRP before incentive applied.  If want to sell/upgrade after incentives expire/2025, you gained that value for resale.

[Andrew Dwyer]

4 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

We visited the local showroom yesterday, Extended Range available ex-stock, Standard Range only in white or grey but only white available to order with a long lead time.  I suspect it's just a marketing ploy to get people to go for the extended range.

 

I sat in the back whilst my daughter drove, it rode well but was surprisingly noisy in the back.

Yes, I forgot about the limited colour options for the standard range in my post earlier.

Also have seen several reports from standard range Atto 3 owners that the motor is 130 kw and they were under the impression that the motor would be the same as extended range (150 kw ) , that’s 25 hp down.

Apparently nothing in the brochure or sales rep has lead them to believe that this would be the case and they are not happy !

Don’t recall how they found out this.

[Andrew Dwyer]

7 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

I sat in the back whilst my daughter drove, it rode well but was surprisingly noisy in the back.

Atto 3 ( I don’t own one, so only hearsay from the many FB groups I am stalking )

 

There’s a synthetic motor sound up to 30 kph with 2 equally annoying sounds for pedestrian benefit, in a car park for example. Can be unplugged easily or reduced by wrapping a couple of layers of tape around it.

Ironically I heard it for the first time about 30 minutes ago, as an Atto turned round in the road almost next to where I was standing.

My opinion is it is over the top and many EV’s don’t have this option, plus ICE cars can be deadly quiet travelling at low speeds too .

 

Many complaints of wind noise from about 60/70 kph, an option to fit a rubber seal ( round cross section, looks about 8mm o/d ) into the existing rubber door seals is available. Possibly the usual FB selling propaganda but who knows ?, haven’t seen any decibel readings before and after but is cheap and maybe worth trying, is not permanent.

 

The Atlas Batman tyres have been given quite a bit of bad press by Atto owners for their “ volume “ and many have been replaced quickly. Apparently in Europe the new Attos are now being supplied with a Continental tyre with a slightly different configuration.

[Andrew Dwyer]

8 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

8 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

[Melpomene]

6 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Good for you, as I'm a big fan, after only have (MG ZS) for 6+ months.

 

I would never own an ICE again.  Especially now, since same price as ICEs with govt incentives.  Which also means, there's no 1st or 2nd year depreciation, as our ZS is 'insured value' for more than we paid.   Since value is based on MSRP before incentive applied.  If want to sell/upgrade after incentives expire/2025, you gained that value for resale.

That's good to hear. I've really not heard too many negative experiences tbh.  

 

Have you found maintenance to be as minimal as suggested? We do quite a high mileage, so it seems like our Toyota is constantly at the garage for another service!

[KhunLA]

47 minutes ago, Melpomene said:

That's good to hear. I've really not heard too many negative experiences tbh.  

 

Have you found maintenance to be as minimal as suggested? We do quite a high mileage, so it seems like our Toyota is constantly at the garage for another service!

Only had just over 6 months, and haven't racked up the kms yet (7900).  I drive the E-MB a lot locally, what little driving I do locally.   We usually go out & about during rainy season, and average 20k kms a year, on all past vehicles.  So we're way behind, as just finished a house build, and doing finishing touches.

 

Was looking at service schedule, not TH, but need to inspect every 24 month/40k kms on one site. ???? I think book has inspection at 1 yr, emphasis on 'inspection' as nothing scheduled to change until 30kms kms, I think.  Really do need to peek at it again.

 

MG states EV service over 8 yrs (battery warranty) is 14.4k baht, (5yr/9k baht),  which for the ICE version was 2k every 10k kms for oil changes, more if other filters involved & plugs. 

 

I think we racked up about 12k baht of services on the ZS ICE version in 2yrs/39k kms.  Add in petrol savings, and not seeing any negatives owning an EV. 

 

If doing 20k kms a year, @ 14 kp/L (1428 L) X 36 baht = 51+k baht.

 

Over the 8 yr battery warranty, that's 400+k baht saved on petrol, for us, if using solar all the time.  At least 1/2 the time, so 200k saved.

 

If on the grid @ 5 baht a kWh (negative #), and 360 kms per charge (46.3kWh), then if paying for electric, 20k kms / 360 kms = 55.5 full chargs @ (46.3kWh X 5 baht) = 12.8k baht

 

EV = 12.8k baht (1 yr/20k kms)

ICE = 51k baht (1yr/20k kms)

[JBChiangRai]

My last 3 cars were PHEV then BEV and then another BEV.

 

I can't even contemplate going back to a car with an internal combustion engine again.

 

My biggest surprise is the MG4 BEV, I love the way it drives, it feels a lot faster than it should, it's 100% a driver's car, I bought it to do a long distance commute to see my kids at university to keep the miles off something a bit more exotic and surprisingly, I prefer the MG4.   I think the BYD Atto 3 is also a superb car, I would only look at those two cars currently although the MG EP+ price is ridiculous, it's unbelievable value for money and drives great. I am sure people with Tesla's are going to get burned badly, six price cuts in the US this year, none in Thailand.... (yet)

[mistral53]

12 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

My last 3 cars were PHEV then BEV and then another BEV.

 

I can't even contemplate going back to a car with an internal combustion engine again.

 

My biggest surprise is the MG4 BEV, I love the way it drives, it feels a lot faster than it should, it's 100% a driver's car, I bought it to do a long distance commute to see my kids at university to keep the miles off something a bit more exotic and surprisingly, I prefer the MG4.   I think the BYD Atto 3 is also a superb car, I would only look at those two cars currently although the MG EP+ price is ridiculous, it's unbelievable value for money and drives great. I am sure people with Tesla's are going to get burned badly, six price cuts in the US this year, none in Thailand.... (yet)

I just did a test drive on a Tesla M3, and brought up that very question about price cuts with the sales rep - they are of course prepared for that question, presumably most buyers are concerned. The answer is not convincing - Tesla is new to Thailand and does not intend or need to adjust prices for at least 12 months - and there are clear signs the market for EV's is softening, so my hunch is in a few months Tesla will cut prices, if for no other reason than to gain another rush of publicity.

[Yellowtail]

Saw a new red-tag Tesla at a charging station yesterday and another today at the uni. 

 

I doubt price-cutting would be a good strategy for them. 

[KhunLA]

4 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Saw a new red-tag Tesla at a charging station yesterday and another today at the uni. 

 

I doubt price-cutting would be a good strategy for them. 

It will when their demand drops off, as more competition is available.   They'll have to lower priced to compete, as they are elsewhere.  

 

Being told price won't be lower for a year, doesn't give anyone much confidence in the purchase, especially if they are the type to replace/buy a new car every few years.  Definitely be taking a hit on their resale value.

[Yellowtail]

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

It will when their demand drops off, as more competition is available.   They'll have to lower priced to compete, as they are elsewhere.  

 

Being told price won't be lower for a year, doesn't give anyone much confidence in the purchase, especially if they are the type to replace/buy a new car every few years.  Definitely be taking a hit on their resale value.

I think it safe to say it not the same market demographic s-box EVs. 

[JBChiangRai]

9 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Saw a new red-tag Tesla at a charging station yesterday and another today at the uni. 

 

I doubt price-cutting would be a good strategy for them. 

I think it's inevitable.  Right now they have the rush of eager buyers as Tesla is new to the market.  Once that initial rush is over, they have to compete and right now they are anything but competitive. We have some stunning cars available now and even more stunning cars coming down the line.  I don't see a Tesla Model 3 as a quality product.

 

Also, I think past performance is probably indicative of future behaviour.  The Chinese owners went mad when they discounted the cars and demanded refunds, I don't think it's in the Thai nature to do that, but they won't buy Tesla again after they've been burned.  I think vision based self-driving is a dead end and I wouldn't be happy if my government said you must have Lidar, and I predict that is coming.

 

The other problem with Tesla is Elon Musk, he's a loose canon who makes illogical decisions when he gets wound up.  He also announces product too early, where's the roadster or cybertruck?

 

 

[KhunLA]

10 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

I think it safe to say it not the same market demographic s-box EVs. 

Supply & demand will still dictate pricing on the <2m baht vehicles, as not so much a niche market as the Benzs & Porsches.

 

Except for that 'T' badge, many find the fit & finish of the Teslas a bit lacking, along with maintenance and replacement parts cost out of warranty.  

 

With more competition, Tesla realizes, they can only remain overpriced for so long.  Advantage Tesla is the longer range vehicles & charging network, though again, competition is knocking at their door.

[Yellowtail]

10 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Supply & demand will still dictate pricing on the <2m baht vehicles, as not so much a niche market as the Benzs &Porsches

Benz is a niche market? 

 

You crack me up. 

[JBChiangRai]

1 minute ago, Yellowtail said:

Benz is a niche market? 

 

You crack me up. 

The Thais love their Benzes.  I think they are considered a status symbol here.

[KhunLA]

5 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Benz is a niche market? 

 

You crack me up. 

That's what I said ... have you priced them ? 

 ... "as not so much a niche market as the Benzs & Porsches"

 

EVs (the topic) ... Way more than 2M price tags, and why so few have been registered here.

 

[Gweiloman]

36 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Supply & demand will still dictate pricing on the <2m baht vehicles, as not so much a niche market as the Benzs & Porsches.

 

Except for that 'T' badge, many find the fit & finish of the Teslas a bit lacking, along with maintenance and replacement parts cost out of warranty.  

 

With more competition, Tesla realizes, they can only remain overpriced for so long.  Advantage Tesla is the longer range vehicles & charging network, though again, competition is knocking at their door.

I used to think that range was the single most important criteria but since my 6,000 km trip back in March, I have not once needed to put in any petrol to my (NEDC) 201 km EV range PHEV. I have been happily charging from solar and a free CS near me.

[Yellowtail]

34 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

That's what I said ... have you priced them ? 

 ... "as not so much a niche market as the Benzs & Porsches"

 

EVs (the topic) ... Way more than 2M price tags, and why so few have been registered here.

 

Have I priced what? 

 

 

[KhunLA]

1 minute ago, Yellowtail said:

Have I priced what? 

Benz & Porsche BEVs

[Yellowtail]

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Benz & Porsche BEVs

Yes, what does that have to do with Tesla not being the same marketing demographic as s-box MG EVs and whatnot?  

[KhunLA]

6 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Yes, what does that have to do with Tesla not being the same marketing demographic as s-box MG EVs and whatnot?  

Self explanatory ... 

 

... Have a nice day

[Yellowtail]

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Self explanatory ... 

 

... Have a nice day

That's what I thought, thanks! 

[macahoom]

2 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

I think it safe to say it not the same market demographic s-box EVs. 

What's "s-box" mean? You mention it in a later post also.

 

Googling didn't help 

[Yellowtail]

14 minutes ago, macahoom said:

What's "s-box" mean? You mention it in a later post also.

 

Googling didn't help 

sh*t-box/econo-box/entry-level

 

[Pedrogaz]

No interest in any EV.....I'll stick with ICE/diesel as long as one can buy them.

[JBChiangRai]

2 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

Benz is a niche market? 

 

You crack me up. 

When I first moved here 17 years ago, I bought a top of the range Camry with Navigation, and all the toys.  I bought it because it was more powerful, better equipped and a better car than the Benz C200 which was 50% more.

 

Today, it's a very different story, the Benz C300e is plug in hybrid with a huge range and over 300bhp on tap and very well equipped, but the Camry has only improved a litte bit with Hybrid (not plug in) technology on some models.

 

The Benz has moved into a completely different class, it's now a superb car, albeit at a premium price.

[Gweiloman]

1 hour ago, Pedrogaz said:

No interest in any EV.....I'll stick with ICE/diesel as long as one can buy them.

Then why post here? I doubt anyone is interested in your thoughts.

[Andrew Dwyer]

Good news for those waiting for BYD Seal, a new Champion Edition coming with a more affordable price 

 

https://carnewschina.com/2023/05/05/new-byd-seal-base-model-to-launch-11-cheaper-on-may-7-for-27400-usd/

 

Not sure if it will land on Thai shores but here’s hoping ????????

[Bandersnatch]

China's Hozon to produce NETA

EVs in Thailand for Southeast Asian market
 

 

The company’s first overseas factory broke ground on Friday near Bangkok. 
 

Production is expected to start in 2024.

 

The EV maker launched its NETA V model in the Thai market last year and planned to start offering its NETA U and NETA S models in the near future.

 

Last month it was announced that China's Changan Auto would invest $285 million in a facility in Thailand.

 

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/chinas-hozon-produce-evs-thailand-southeast-asian-market-2023-05-06/