Buoyant EV market raising skill gap concerns

[snoop1130]

 

The EV market in Thailand is growing rapidly thanks largely to the government’s promotional packages to incentivise both car manufacturing and consumers, high fuel costs and increasing awareness about emissions from road-based transportation.

 

That’s good news for the country and the environment, but there are very real concerns among educational institutes and the auto industry at a widening skill gap.

 

As of July 2023, the Board of Investment (BOI) had granted promotional privileges to 23 projects with a total investment of over Bt75 billion. There are currently 13 BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles), 6 HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicles), 6 PHEV (Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), and 2 battery electric bus projects. In August, the number of registered EV cars was almost 60,000 units, a surge of 280 per cent over the same period last year.

 

Caption: EV car charger

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-10-02

 

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[retarius]

I was reading to day that in the UK where they have had a major upsurge of 270,000 EV sales this year, owners are now running into major insurance issues as many major companies (like John Lewis and Aviva) have stopped offering EV renewal insurance, and the companies offering insurance are doing so at extortionate rates. Apparently there is a lack of trained mechanics who can fix EVs when the battery is damaged, and it apparently takes 40% longer to do a repair to an EV (no reason given, apart from the battery issue).

[KhunLA]

they couldn't find a charger in TH to take a photo of, or even a file photo ????

[transam]

8 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

they couldn't find a charger in TH to take a photo of, or even a file photo ????

Hen's teeth.................................????

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, transam said:

Hen's teeth.................................????

Rocking horse-you know what

[Bandersnatch]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Rocking horse-you know what

You just proved you don’t know what you’re talking about and that you don’t know how to your check facts before posting.

 

 

 

[JonnyF]

14 hours ago, retarius said:

I was reading to day that in the UK where they have had a major upsurge of 270,000 EV sales this year, owners are now running into major insurance issues as many major companies (like John Lewis and Aviva) have stopped offering EV renewal insurance, and the companies offering insurance are doing so at extortionate rates. Apparently there is a lack of trained mechanics who can fix EVs when the battery is damaged, and it apparently takes 40% longer to do a repair to an EV (no reason given, apart from the battery issue).

Yeah I saw that as well. On top of all the other hassles owning an EV, you now have to pay 5,000 GBP (240,000 THB) for annual insurance.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/sep/30/the-quotes-were-5000-or-more-electric-vehicle-owners-face-soaring-insurance-costs

 

There's your fuel savings gone. Lucky electricity is dirt cheap.... oh wait a minute...

 

EDIT ; I actually raised the possibility of insurance hikes when they starting burning out in shopping malls here in Thailand but was laughed at. Hmmmm.....

 

 

Edited October 3, 2023 by JonnyF

[stratocaster]

24 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Yeah I saw that as well. On top of all the other hassles owning an EV, you now have to pay 5,000 GBP (240,000 THB) for annual insurance.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/sep/30/the-quotes-were-5000-or-more-electric-vehicle-owners-face-soaring-insurance-costs

 

There's your fuel savings gone. Lucky electricity is dirt cheap.... oh wait a minute...

 

EDIT ; I actually raised the possibility of insurance hikes when they starting burning out in shopping malls here in Thailand but was laughed at. Hmmmm.....

 

 

Actually the biggest problem in the UK is now depreciation.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-12160659/Used-electric-cars-nosedived-value-2023.html

[brfsa2]

One important issue regarding the adoption of EVs in Thailand goes beyond simply the availability of charging stations. The current housing infrastructure and villas are not prepared to handle the high loads associated with charging EVs at home. I personally encountered this challenge and had to upgrade my MEA meter from 45A to 100A, along with rewiring my house to accommodate the charger and multiple aircons for my home and office.

During peak hours, I am utilizing 10-15kW (or 50-70A) of electricity, which exceeds the capacity that the villa's infrastructure was originally designed for. The situation becomes even more concerning when we consider the potential scenario of half the villas purchasing EVs and charging them at home. In my own villa, I have already counted at least 25 pure EV cars out of a total of 200 houses. As one of the early adopters, I was the first here that purchased an EV car five years ago, and currently drive a BYD.

 

Fortunately, there are straightforward solutions to address these challenges, albeit requiring financial investment. MEA will need to undertake significant upgrades to the transformers in order to enhance capacity and meet the escalating demand for EV charging. The best solutions overall is that houses install solar panels, ranging from 3.3 to 5.0 kW systems, which would alleviate strain on the electricity grid.

On a personal note, I have installed a 5kW solar panel setup, which has brought about substantial benefits. Not only has it reduced my monthly electricity bill from 7000 baht to just 3500 baht (thanks to daytime charging of my car), I am also able to produce 4.8kWh during sunny days. Implementing these solutions would not only enhance the capabilities of the housing infrastructure but also promote sustainable energy practices.

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

7 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

You just proved you don’t know what you’re talking about and that you don’t know how to your check facts before posting.

 

 

 

I see a map with lots of fuel pump icons. Where are the EV chargers?

[Bandersnatch]

12 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

I see a map with lots of fuel pump icons. Where are the EV chargers?

The app is called Plug Share!

 

Have you ever seen an EV charger?

 

[Bandersnatch]

6 hours ago, JonnyF said:

On top of all the other hassles owning an EV, you now have to pay 5,000 GBP (240,000 THB) for annual insurance

A post from another discussion where people actually know something about EVs

 

[JonnyF]

4 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

A post from another discussion where people actually know something about EVs

 

Wait for a few more incidents like this and premiums will inevitably rise as they have in the UK.

 

Or a bad raining season.

 

Fortunately, the batteries are stored at the bottom of the car.????

 

 

[Bandersnatch]

37 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Wait for a few more incidents like this and premiums will inevitably rise as they have in the UK.

We know this story in the EV forums - it was not a traction battery fire. 

 

38 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Or a bad raining season.

 

Fortunately, the batteries are stored at the bottom of the car

The batteries in EVs are sealed. They suffer less with flooding than ICE cars

 

 

 

[transam]

1 minute ago, Bandersnatch said:

We know this story in the EV forums - it was not a traction battery fire. 

 

The batteries in EVs are sealed. They suffer less with flooding than ICE cars

 

 

 

Well I suppose gas cars won't catch fire in flood water, but unfortunately for you, that cannot be said for your mode of transport, in fact, anyone driving an EV through flood water will have an instant bout of bum burps...????

[JonnyF]

5 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

We know this story in the EV forums - it was not a traction battery fire. 

 

The batteries in EVs are sealed. They suffer less with flooding than ICE cars

 

 

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hurricane-idalia-electric-car-caught-fire-tesla/

 

[Bandersnatch]

45 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hurricane-idalia-electric-car-caught-fire-tesla/

 

Were you here in 2011? There were no EVs in Thailand then. Honda alone lost $12 Million Worth Of new cars

 

 

 

https://www.businessinsider.com/honda-floods-thailand-tax-break-2011-11

 

 

 

[Bandersnatch]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hurricane-idalia-electric-car-caught-fire-tesla/

 

You should read this article if you want some balance. Most of what you read online about EVs is not true, better to talk to people that actually own an EV and know what they are talking about.

 

https://cleantechnica.com/2022/10/07/florida-state-fire-marshal-tells-crazy-lie-about-evs/

[Stargeezr]

EVs do not do well when they are submerged in water, some even catch on fire. Hence the Tesla warning.

   The tires do not last that long either because of the extra weight an EV weighs. 

    I would rather have a hybrid.

[jacko45k]

21 hours ago, stratocaster said:

Actually the biggest problem in the UK is now depreciation.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-12160659/Used-electric-cars-nosedived-value-2023.html

Yes, I was chatting with a pal yesterday, we are both ex-UK. And he was telling me that EVs are expensive to buy new, and impossible to sell second hand!

[redwood1]

21 hours ago, stratocaster said:

Actually the biggest problem in the UK is now depreciation.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-12160659/Used-electric-cars-nosedived-value-2023.html

Exactlly.....No one would ever want to buy a used EV unless it was dirt cheap...China has VAST VAST EV graveyards.....Soon coming to the UK and Thailand...

 

 

 

 

Edited October 3, 2023 by redwood1

[Henryford]

The other issue causing problems in the UK now is maintenance and the lack of qualified technicians to service EVs. Would you want SomChai servicing/repairing your EV?

[quake]

2 minutes ago, Henryford said:

The other issue causing problems in the UK now is maintenance and the lack of qualified technicians to service EVs. Would you want SomChai servicing/repairing your EV?

Yeah, Can just hear him, Sorrley Mr, it need new big battery .

it broken. 

[Bandersnatch]

44 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Yes, I was chatting with a pal yesterday, we are both ex-UK. And he was telling me that EVs are expensive to buy new, and impossible to sell second hand!

Depreciation varies, during covid used EVs were selling for more than new ones due part shortage for new cars.

 

The UK is currently in as massive financial crisis caused by Brexit and financial mismanagement. As well as an energy crisis causes by a short sighted “cut the green crap” approach to becoming energy independent. No onshore wind and grants for home solar cut overnight devastating the industry.

 

32% of households in Australia have solar. In the UK it’s 4%.

 

In the light of the above nobody is buying expensive new or used cars and those with them can’t afford to keep them. However, it is interesting that the same publications crowing about depreciation on EVs were the same ones complaining that ULEV compliant vehicles were too expensive even secondhand.

 

Back to Thailand. I ordered my second EV last week. I have solar and don’t have a PEA bill. I put excess power into running my first EV, but I have enough extra power for a second EV. It comes with 8 years warranty on the car. 8 years warranty on the battery. 8 years 100% free servicing. 8 years free breakdown cover. I will be keeping it for at least…… 8 years so won’t worry about depreciation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JonnyF]

2 hours ago, Stargeezr said:

EVs do not do well when they are submerged in water, some even catch on fire. Hence the Tesla warning.

   The tires do not last that long either because of the extra weight an EV weighs. 

    I would rather have a hybrid.

That's true. All that extra weight and torque damages road surfaces as well. 

[motdaeng]

10 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

EVs do not do well when they are submerged in water, some even catch on fire

 

10 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

That's true. All that extra weight and torque damages road surfaces as well. 

people with no knowledge about electric vehicles keep coming up with new arguments against them.

is it really too much to ask for them to inform themselves seriously instead of just making baseless claims?

[JonnyF]

16 minutes ago, motdaeng said:

 

people with no knowledge about electric vehicles keep coming up with new arguments against them.

is it really too much to ask for them to inform themselves seriously instead of just making baseless claims?

Oh really?

 

https://www.energylivenews.com/2023/06/27/evs-cause-twice-the-road-damage-of-petrol-vehicles-study-reveals/

 

 

It would appear I am not the one who needs to inform myself.

[Bandersnatch]

22 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

That's true. All that extra weight and torque damages road surfaces as well. 

Some pictures for you

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JonnyF]

Just now, Bandersnatch said:

Some pictures for you

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, let's compare a sedan to a massive truck. Great idea.

[Bandersnatch]

11 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Yes, let's compare a sedan to a massive truck. Great idea.

Do please share a link to where you have complained about massive trucks destroying the roads. 

 

I can wait