Picture courtesy of The Nation

Thailand’s electric vehicle sector is facing fresh uncertainty after government proposals to sharply raise public EV charging prices, a move that could erase the cost benefits that have driven rapid adoption. Proposed electricity rate adjustments could push charging costs as high as 11 baht per unit, bringing EV running costs close to those of petrol-powered vehicles. The announcement has raised concerns about a potential slowdown in EV uptake and wider impacts on environmental and industrial policy.

The proposals were outlined on Friday, January 30, 2026, following an order from the Ministry of Energy to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to overhaul the current pricing structure. At present, the official electricity rate for EV charging stands at 2.91 baht per unit, a level authorities say is artificially low. According to the government, this price does not reflect actual electricity procurement costs or long-term grid maintenance expenses.

Historically, the gap between the regulated rate and real costs has been absorbed through the national “Ft” fuel adjustment charge. This mechanism has effectively spread the subsidy across the wider population, meaning non-EV users have been indirectly subsidising EV charging. With hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles now registered nationwide, officials argue the financial burden on Thailand’s three electricity authorities has become unsustainable.

Industry experts warn that once commercial factors are included, the real price at public charging stations is already higher than the official rate. When land rental, equipment depreciation and ongoing maintenance are taken into account, retail charging prices are estimated at 7.5 to 8.5 baht per unit. Analysts now expect these prices to rise further, potentially reaching between 9.5 and 11 baht per unit under the new framework.

Such increases have triggered concern among industry stakeholders that the economic incentive to switch to electric vehicles is fading. If the cost per kilometre reaches parity with internal combustion engine vehicles, analysts warn that EV adoption, which has accelerated rapidly over the past two years, could stall. A slowdown in domestic demand could also undermine Thailand’s ambitions to achieve its “Net Zero” targets and become Southeast Asia’s leading EV manufacturing hub.

The Nation reported that private sector representatives are urging the government to introduce mitigation measures to cushion the impact. Proposed options include land and building tax waivers for charging station operators, incentives for integrating renewable energy such as solar power, and direct transition subsidies to maintain a competitive price gap during the industry’s growth phase. Discussions between regulators, utilities and industry players are expected to continue in the coming months.

Key Takeaways

• Thailand plans to raise public EV charging costs to as high as 11 baht per unit to end subsidies.

• Higher prices could eliminate the cost advantage of EVs and slow adoption.

• Industry groups are calling for mitigation measures to protect investment and policy goals.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Nation 2026-01-31

 

 

This is going to hurt all the ev people and there goes the benefit of buying these chinese cars plus thais are very impatiant people they dont like waiting around while their cars are charging

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Proposed electricity rate adjustments could push charging costs as high as 11 baht per unit, bringing EV running costs close to those of petrol-powered vehicles. The announcement has raised concerns about a potential slowdown in EV uptake and wider impacts on environmental and industrial policy.

The proposals were outlined on Friday, January 30, 2026, following an order from the Ministry of Energy to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to overhaul the current pricing structure. At present, the official electricity rate for EV charging stands at 2.91 baht per unit,

Going from 2.91 to 11...

Can you say "bait and switch"?

That would be bad enough in a high income country, but catastrophic for Thai families who scraped together their baht to buy a car so they'd be safer on the road than on scooters. And now they can't afford to run them.

4 minutes ago, impulse said:

Going from 2.91 to 11...

Can you say "bait and switch"?

That would be bad enough in a high income country, but catastrophic for Thai families who scraped together their baht to buy a car so they'd be safer on the road than on scooters. And now they can't afford to run them.

I'd very much doubt low income Thai families are buying new EVs.

1 minute ago, sungod said:

I'd very much doubt low income Thai families are buying new EVs.

Maybe not, but a lot of families stretched their finances to buy them. And now they can't afford to operate them, or sell them...

I bought an EV because I have excess solar capacity. I've only ever charged my car at home, total cost so far is 0.

Once they figure out many of aren't even paying for charging, they'll surely figure out another way to tax us.

If people that were on the fence thought they could trust the Thai government to keep charging prices down as an incentive to buy, they only have themselves to blame really. That lot could not care less. Look at how they encouraged people to get on the cannabis bandwagon, start businesses etc, only to shaft them later. Governments around the world are not immune to pulling fast ones, but the Thai government (whoever is currently ‘in’, it doesn’t matter) is the ultimate bipolar flip-flopper.

36 minutes ago, impulse said:

Going from 2.91 to 11...

Can you say "bait and switch"?

That would be bad enough in a high income country, but catastrophic for Thai families who scraped together their baht to buy a car so they'd be safer on the road than on scooters. And now they can't afford to run them.

Don’t skip the important part of that sentence.

“ At present, the official electricity rate for EV charging stands at 2.91 baht per unit, a level authorities say is artificially low. According to the government, this price does not reflect actual electricity procurement costs or long-term grid maintenance expenses “

The text then goes to say that current public charging rates average at 7.5 to 8.5 baht.

Wait until they get you by the balls, then start to squeeze.

To a certain extent, those that have invested in solar and a home charger can avoid this except on long journeys.

But this being Thailand, and only a proposal, the gov't might not implement it. it certainly seems the wrong time to broach such a subject, before elections.

12 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Don’t skip the important part of that sentence.

“ At present, the official electricity rate for EV charging stands at 2.91 baht per unit, a level authorities say is artificially low. According to the government, this price does not reflect actual electricity procurement costs or long-term grid maintenance expenses “

The text then goes to say that current public charging rates average at 7.5 to 8.5 baht.

Good catch, but that increase is still bait and switch.

1 minute ago, impulse said:

Good catch, but that increase is still bait and switch.

Also the off peak rate @ CS, and < 6 baht.

Some CS at upscale locations (ICONSIAM) already charge 10 baht. No matter, it won't effect most people, as they charge at home. Only those that can't charge at home, or folks like ourselves, where half our kms are while O&A.

Still at 11 baht, saving are nice vs the cost of petrol, MG ZS EV vs ICE ...

BEV ... 340 kms @ ฿487 (฿11 / kWh)

ICE ... 340 kms @ ฿728 (฿30 / liter)

18 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Also the off peak rate @ CS, and < 6 baht.

Some CS at upscale locations (ICONSIAM) already charge 10 baht. No matter, it won't effect most people, as they charge at home. Only those that can't charge at home, or folks like ourselves, where half our kms are while O&A.

Still at 11 baht, saving are nice vs the cost of petrol, MG ZS EV vs ICE ...

BEV ... 340 kms @ ฿487 (฿11 / kWh)

ICE ... 340 kms @ ฿728 (฿30 / liter)

I wouldn't expect it to affect most of the folks tuned in here. I'm thinking more of my Thai co-workers who stretched their family finances to buy the cars they'd dreamt of for decades.

And wondering what's next. For example, when they snap to the fact that people charging at home aren't paying road taxes because they collect those at the pump (or the charger). Back home, some entities are enacting fees per mile...

1 minute ago, impulse said:

I wouldn't expect it to affect most of the folks tuned in here. I'm thinking more of my Thai co-workers who stretched their family finances to buy the cars they'd dreamt of for decades.

And wondering what's next. For example, when they snap to the fact that people charging at home aren't paying road taxes because they collect those at the pump (or the charger). Back home, some entities are enacting fees per mile...

Back home ... this is TH

Back home BEV are crap & silly price

Back home there is no practical CS network countrywide

Back home electric is silly priced

Back home solar is out of reach for most people, 3X what my system cost

I don't equate anything to 'back home' as irrelevant to life in TH.

Owning a BEV in TH will always be a better vehicle and cheaper to operate & maintain, at the same price points, along with unmatched performance ... IMHO

with only a few exceptions, almost all charging station providers are private companies. so why should the government step in and raise prices instead of letting the market regulate itself?

one might wonder whether some large charging station providers are behind this, hoping to increase their profits while hiding behind new government regulations ...

by the way, i drive around 18,000 km per year with my bev. the last time i had to use a charging station was in april. at home, i charge at 4.30 thb per kwh. compared to my previous vehicle, i save about two-thirds of the energy cost per kilometer ... 😁

1 hour ago, daveAustin said:

If people that were on the fence thought they could trust the Thai government to keep charging prices down as an incentive to buy, they only have themselves to blame really. That lot could not care less. Look at how they encouraged people to get on the cannabis bandwagon, start businesses etc, only to shaft them later. Governments around the world are not immune to pulling fast ones, but the Thai government (whoever is currently ‘in’, it doesn’t matter) is the ultimate bipolar flip-flopper.

Look at the uk....EVs used to not be charged to drive into central London...Now EVs are charged just like gas cars.

9 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Back home ... this is TH

Back home BEV are crap & silly price

Back home there is no practical CS network countrywide

Back home electric is silly priced

Back home solar is out of reach for most people, 3X what my system cost

I don't equate anything to 'back home' as irrelevant to life in TH.

Owning a BEV in TH will always be a better vehicle and cheaper to operate & maintain, at the same price points, along with unmatched performance ... IMHO

The issue is that Thailand is watching what they're doing "back home". And sooner or later, they'll adopt the same money grubbing policies and taxes.

1 minute ago, impulse said:

The issue is that Thailand is watching what they're doing "back home". And sooner or later, they'll adopt the same money grubbing policies and taxes.

Actually think TH is much smarter than that. The subsidies will disappear, but the prices of BEV will still be cheaper or same as ICEV. Look how ICEV prices dropped, or didn't increase of the past 3 yrs. Electric will remain cheap, even at CS, and solar affordable, available, and allowed / tolerated to install, as long as not too many home installations burning down the house don't hit the news

The CS network is the most impressive part, and not cheap to install, so yea, prices will rise, and actually a good thing. If they aren't making a profit, and it's not available & convenient to use, then the network will fail, as in other countries.

There's really no need to plan a charging stop now, as there's one right down the road on most highways, if closest one isn't available. We only reserved once, on a long weekend, near tourist area, and didn't even need that, as there was another, viewable from the one we reserved, just didn't notice it on the different app ... oops

I think the real issue is, how bad the ICEV legacy auto makers have been overcharging for vehicles in the past. That's some major price gouging, as I suspected, as same cars in TH, being sold in USA for less, when overhead there so much higher to build.

2 hours ago, clokwise said:

I bought an EV because I have excess solar capacity. I've only ever charged my car at home, total cost so far is 0.

Once they figure out many of aren't even paying for charging, they'll surely figure out another way to tax us.

The Sun Tax, you forgot something, nothing is free!

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Also the off peak rate @ CS, and < 6 baht.

Some CS at upscale locations (ICONSIAM) already charge 10 baht. No matter, it won't effect most people, as they charge at home. Only those that can't charge at home, or folks like ourselves, where half our kms are while O&A.

Still at 11 baht, saving are nice vs the cost of petrol, MG ZS EV vs ICE ...

BEV ... 340 kms @ ฿487 (฿11 / kWh)

ICE ... 340 kms @ ฿728 (฿30 / liter)

Best-selling car in its class, outselling all EVs
Toyota Yaris Cross HEV

Lowest depreciation in the segment
No range anxiety
No charging hassle

Why would anybody not buy one?

BEV … 340 km @ ฿487 (฿11 / kWh)
HEV … 340 km @ ฿408 (฿30 / litre, 25 km/L)
ICE … 340 km @ ฿728 (฿30 / litre)

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Still at 11 baht, saving are nice vs the cost of petrol, MG ZS EV vs ICE ...

And 11 Baht is a price you can dream of in Germany e g.

Particularly for the high power charging.

Only the high fuel prices made an advantage which melts more and more.

14 minutes ago, LosLobo said:

Why would anybody not buy one?

And it comes with a plush teddy and gift wrap 😁

7 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

And it comes with a plush teddy and gift wrap 😁

That's a very BIG key though, I might have to pass.

4 hours ago, sungod said:

I'd very much doubt low income Thai families are buying new EVs.

If they were buying new entry level 'made in TH' JP badged cars last year, they'd be paying less for BEV, better cars, with lifetime warranty on battery motors and controller of.

MG4 was lower priced than that all the 1.5L ICEV, at entry level price points. Cheaper to operate & maintain even if having to use CS to charge. My daughter can't charge at her condo, and simply charges while shopping or at work.

Really can't think of a negative about owning a BEV. Only if time is money, and you're on the road all day. Even taxi drivers know it's beneficial to go BEV. Simply charge while eating lunch before hitting the streets again, and not much of an inconvenience.

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Actually think TH is much smarter than that. The subsidies will disappear, but the prices of BEV will still be cheaper or same as ICEV. Look how ICEV prices dropped, or didn't increase of the past 3 yrs. Electric will remain cheap, even at CS, and solar affordable, available, and allowed / tolerated to install, as long as not too many home installations burning down the house don't hit the news

How do you respond to the issue of fairness that EV users who charge at home aren't paying their share of road taxes? Whether they're charging by solar or by PEA, they're not getting dinged. Do you honestly believe that will last long before they snap to that fact and add yet another fee to EV users?

2 minutes ago, impulse said:

How do you respond to the issue of fairness that EV users who charge at home aren't paying their share of road taxes? Whether they're charging by solar or by PEA, they're not getting dinged. Do you honestly believe that will last long before they snap to that fact and add yet another fee to EV users?

You forgot to mention, we got a discount on yearly registration tax also.

Called incentives to build a customer base. Common for many products. How do you feel about no pricing competition for petrol users, or diesel at fixed price when electric rates have increased.

Just because one product buyer is more intelligent than another, they should be penalized. Insurance rates for BEV are higher and no reason for it, as write off prices are the same, or lower. LFP battery technology and construction is better, and guessing rare for a car to be written of for 'bent frame' or battery compromised in minor accidents, vs ICEV.

If accident bad enough to compromise the battery pack, chances are it was a total write off to begin with. Yet, higher premiums.

We can knit pick all day about minor cost & responsibilities. Leave it to the corrupt policy makers to fight over.

Next people will be asking for different tax on breathing air, when they get around to taxing that. You weigh 100 kg, so your tax is higher than the person weighing 80 kg, as you exhale more carbon dioxide. Surely to be countered by vegans, expelling more methane than carnivore or keto diet eaters.

Glad I won't live long enough for that silliness.

4 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Also the off peak rate @ CS, and < 6 baht.

Some CS at upscale locations (ICONSIAM) already charge 10 baht. No matter, it won't effect most people, as they charge at home. Only those that can't charge at home, or folks like ourselves, where half our kms are while O&A.

Still at 11 baht, saving are nice vs the cost of petrol, MG ZS EV vs ICE ...

BEV ... 340 kms @ ฿487 (฿11 / kWh)

ICE ... 340 kms @ ฿728 (฿30 / liter)

For comparison: How many kilometers can an electric car drive on one unit/kWh compared to gasoline cars, which might in average drive 10+ kilometers on 1 liter..?

45 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Just because one product buyer is more intelligent than another, they should be penalized.

If your premise is correct, then there’s really no need for you to worry.

I wonder what proportion of the public charging stations are running on solar power only, and what proportion on mains power only.

5 hours ago, khunPer said:

For comparison: How many kilometers can an electric car drive on one unit/kWh compared to gasoline cars, which might in average drive 10+ kilometers on 1 liter..?

I can only go by our car (2022), low tech & range compared to newer. Locally, we could drive 300 kms, that would leave about a 50-60 kms reserve. I actually wouldn't take it that low. We get about 7.3 - 7.7 kms / kWh, and our battery is 50.3 kWh (46.3 kWh usable). Others are 60-70-80+kWh.

Highway driving, we drive 250-280 kms, leaves a 90-70 kms reserve, and 3+ hours of driving. We need out of the car after 3 hr, so range is immaterial for us.

Other BEV get 400-500 kms with 100 kms reserve. Average for most cars is 13-14-15kwh per 100 kms, I think. We average 12.5-14 kWh per 100 kms, depending on speed, and or stop & go driving, and that's with the AC on. Sometimes less kWh/kms, but very rare.

We drive in ECO mode with max regen back to the battery, and more than enough power for us. Our driving habits are no different than when we had the ICE version of the same car. Except it's got more power (hp & torque), and cost less to operate & maintain. along with quieter & smoother ride. Very nice upgrade from the ICE version, which we loved also.

Just tried On-Ion charging network for the first time, that thing is a total rip off !!!

A 2 hours and 11 minutes (2:11) charge for topping a mere 14kWh, I paid 180 baht. only added 20% on the BYD battery.