Thailand'S First Ev Charging Station Opens In Bangkok

[webfact]

Thailand's first EV charging station opens in Bangkok

BANGKOK, Aug 3 – The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) opened Thailand's first electric vehicle (EV) charging station for the public, with nine more stations to be launched by the end of next year, MEA Governor Atorn Sinsawat said Wednesday.

The station opening was in response to the global warming issue, he noted, adding that countries such as Japan and the United States also have policies to support the use of electric cars.

The MEA, as a government organisation, opened its first pilot EV station at its headquarters on Pleonchit Road at no charge until July 31 next year.

The nine other stations will be in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Nonthaburi, with the construction cost of each at Bt600,000. Services will include a quick charge at 20-30 minutes and a home charging system to fully charge a vehicle in 6-8 hours.

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority will order 20 electric cars for its organisational use within four years. The move is considered as beginning Thailand's biggest step toward an electric cars society.

Assoc Prof Watit Benjapolakul, Electrical Engineering Department head at Chulalongkorn University, commented the government should support the use of electric cars as Japan and the US do, for instance, by offering tax reductions for such imported vehicles, and supporting opening EV charging stations as well as subsidising free services.

The academic forecast more people will opt for such cars should their prices in Thailand be lowered from the current over Bt2 million to around Bt1 million.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Motors' planning and marketing general manager Hideyuki Hatori said around 27,000 electric vehicles were produced in Japan for export.

The company is considering whether to open an electric car plant in Thailand for manufacturing its eco Mitsubishi Mirage as an electric car. If it was to do so, Mr Hideyuki said the Thai government must provide complete privileges in setting up the plant, support the import of lithium batteries or the construction of a lithium batteries plant in Thailand, as well as reduce excise taxes from the current rate of 10 per cent.

The manager noted three Mitsubishi electric cars have been imported to the country. Another four will be within this year.

The current price of a Mitsubishi electric car is Bt2.6 million, of which the import tax is still as high as 80 per cent. Such price was not set for commercial purpose but rather for supporting research studies of related agencies, Mr Hideyuki said, adding that sales for commercial purposes in Thailand is expected in the next five years. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-03

[Moruya]

They should reduce import tax to zero on all electric vehicles

[Javabear]

The price is zero for now but when they start to charge for it the price will be 5 baht per unit more than the price of gasoline per liter.

[apetley]

Rechargeable electric vehicles.

A technical deadend if ever there was one. Limited range and don't even think about running the ac.

Electric vehicles really only make sense when they are fuel cell especially here in Thailand.

Can't understand why any energy company doesn't invest more in hydrogen production especially here in Thailand where renewables can be used to generate it.

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[RickBradford]

The failure can be seen by looking at sales. Even though gasoline prices are painfully high, consumers are staying away from electric cars in droves. During the first quarter, Nissan sold just 1,800 copies of its much-ballyhooed all-electric Leaf. Meanwhile, sales of another overhyped “green” car, the Chevy Volt hybrid, have been so disappointing that GM has had to idle production at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant twice this year.

Compare the sales of the Volt (2,289 vehicles sold in March) with those of more traditional vehicles. In March alone, Toyota sold 27,711 Priuses, and the Japanese automaker expects sales of the popular hybrid-electric car to remain strong. Meanwhile, March sales of the venerable Toyota Corolla — which gets about 34 miles per gallon on the highway, nearly the same as the Volt — totaled 28,289. Oh, and the sticker price on the Corolla — about $16,000 — is less than half that of the Volt, which sells for about $40,000.

Electrical vehicles are an embarrassing failure in the US -- why on earth would anyone expect them to have any impact on Thailand's motoring scene?

More feel-good fantasy politics at play here.

[Moruya]

Rechargeable electric vehicles.

A technical deadend if ever there was one. Limited range and don't even think about running the ac.

Electric vehicles really only make sense when they are fuel cell especially here in Thailand.

Can't understand why any energy company doesn't invest more in hydrogen production especially here in Thailand where renewables can be used to generate it.

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Take a look at Tesla vehicles, their range and performance

[Woodcaulk]

Rechargeable electric vehicles.

A technical deadend if ever there was one. Limited range and don't even think about running the ac.

Electric vehicles really only make sense when they are fuel cell especially here in Thailand.

Can't understand why any energy company doesn't invest more in hydrogen production especially here in Thailand where renewables can be used to generate it.

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Take a look at Tesla vehicles, their range and performance

Other drivers might get less than 200 miles by driving at higher speeds or with heavy use of cabin air conditioning or heat.

Vehicle speed is by far the largest variable in the range you can achieve. In order to help customers plan and predict this we will share a computer model used to simulate how far a Model S is predicted to travel under the following conditions:

• Constant speed (such as using cruise control)
  
• Flat ground, no wind
  
• Climate control OFF or using vent only (no heat or air conditioning)
  
• 300 lbs of vehicle load (driver plus passenger or cargo)
  
• Windows up, sunroof closed
  
• Tires inflated to recommended pressures
  
• New battery pack (<1 year, <25,000 miles)
  

Yeah &lt;deleted&gt; just drive around thailand with perfect conditions as they ALWAYS are with the air-con off the windows up for a year then the battery pack is no longer "NEW" and your range and power goes to shit. Not to mention that none are available to Thailand yet unless you were to buy the only models available overseas "starting" @ $49,000usd and then shipping and of course the cost of customs shakedown, etc,etc,etc......like the man said " a technical deadend" as well as a money-pit.

[apetley]

What Tesla claim and what can achieved by their vehicles are two different things.

The BBC programme Top Gear got less than 60 miles from a full charge.

Not very impressive.

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[chainarong]

Think about the load on the power system if 500,000 EV decided to all charge at the same time,talk about a short sight solution to a long term problem, plugging in zero's out carbon emissions , the Dr feel good factor at work again.

[soundman]

Big business coming up for mobile charging trucks.

[Moruya]

Think about the load on the power system if 500,000 EV decided to all charge at the same time,talk about a short sight solution to a long term problem, plugging in zero's out carbon emissions , the Dr feel good factor at work again.

India springs to mind

[chooka]

The price is zero for now but when they start to charge for it the price will be 5 baht per unit more than the price of gasoline per liter.

Have to agree, people can hardly afford to run a petrol vehicle so changing to the more expensive electric vehicle is out of the question. Sure electric vehicles make more sense for the enviroment and oil is eventually going to run out. When the 1st motor vehicles hit the roads around 140 yrs ago it was only the fabulously rich who owned one. 40 yrs ago not every household had a car because they couldn't afford one. I would say that it will be 50 or 60 yrs before electric vehicles are affordable for the average household and before we see them in numbers on the roads.

[Sayonarax]

Rechargeable electric vehicles.

A technical deadend if ever there was one. Limited range and don't even think about running the ac.

Electric vehicles really only make sense when they are fuel cell especially here in Thailand.

Can't understand why any energy company doesn't invest more in hydrogen production especially here in Thailand where renewables can be used to generate it.

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Theres nothing wrong with electric cars, but yes i also agree with you, hyrogen fuel cell is the way ahead. Look at Germany already invested in fuel stations on the auto bahn, but the rest of us idiots are making electric...

[chooka]

What Tesla claim and what can achieved by their vehicles are two different things.

The BBC programme Top Gear got less than 60 miles from a full charge.

Not very impressive.

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You do get more than 60 kms.

[apetley]

What Tesla claim and what can achieved by their vehicles are two different things.

The BBC programme Top Gear got less than 60 miles from a full charge.

Not very impressive.

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You do get more than 60 kms.

Miles not km's.

Top Gear got 55 miles from a full charge.

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[chooka]

What Tesla claim and what can achieved by their vehicles are two different things.

The BBC programme Top Gear got less than 60 miles from a full charge.

Not very impressive.

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You do get more than 60 kms.

Miles not km's.

Top Gear got 55 miles from a full charge.

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O.K sorry, the bolt in this video got 160 kms (100 miles) per charge, these vehicles are still in the infant stage so maybe in 50 yrs or so they will be getting equivalent to a petrol vehicle.

Edited August 3, 2012 by chooka

[OzMick]

If they really want to encourage EVs, can I suggest an low tariff off-peak charging rate similar to storage hot water systems in Oz.

[apetley]

What Tesla claim and what can achieved by their vehicles are two different things.

The BBC programme Top Gear got less than 60 miles from a full charge.

Not very impressive.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect App

You do get more than 60 kms.

Miles not km's.

Top Gear got 55 miles from a full charge.

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O.K sorry, the bolt in this video got 160 kms (100 miles) per charge, these vehicles are still in the infant stage so maybe in 50 yrs or so they will be getting equivalent to a petrol vehicle.

100 miles!

Oh well only need to stop and recharge twice on a trip into Bangkok then.

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[chooka]

If they really want to encourage EVs, can I suggest an low tariff off-peak charging rate similar to storage hot water systems in Oz.

The off peak rate is when people are not actually using electricity apart from the fridge and hotwater system in the early hours of the morning, if people were to plug in thier vehicles at this time then the so called smart metres would then recalculate this time as the peak period. Electricity in Australia is actually more expensive than petrol.

[softgeorge]

let me see, an electric vehicle gets around 150kms from a full charge and it takes between 6 - 8 to achieve a full charge. If I was driving from Chiangmai to Bangkok (around 900 kms) I would have to stop and recharge 6 times. 6 X 8 hrs = 48 hours + 10 hours actual driving = 58 hours for the trip. 2 1/2 days to get to BKK, no thanks I will stay with a petrol vehicle and cut 2 days off my trip.

Edited August 3, 2012 by softgeorge

[BuckarooBanzai]

What Tesla claim and what can achieved by their vehicles are two different things.

The BBC programme Top Gear got less than 60 miles from a full charge.

Not very impressive.

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Tesla Sues Top Gear Over Rigged ReviewBBC claims that the claim that the car ran out of battery was never made, just hinted to what would happen in such a case. You'd have to push it back to your garage. Tesla apparently asked the Top Gear team to correct the statements made in order to correct the impression that review can leave with viewers. That has not happened and the result is now a lawsuit. On the track, Clarkson said, the car "would" run out of juice after just 55 miles. "Would" is, of course, the keyword here. 55 miles would also require the car to be driven pretty hard. Our own experience is that the Tesla Roadster is close to about 180 - 200 miles in an everyday driving pattern.http://www.tomsguide.com/us/tesla-tesla-roadtser-top-gear-electric-car,news-10678.html

[Moruya]

let me see, an electric vehicle gets around 150kms from a full charge and it takes between 6 - 8 to achieve a full charge. If I was driving from Chiangmai to Bangkok (around 900 kms) I would have to stop and recharge 6 times. 6 X 8 hrs = 48 hours + 10 hours actual driving = 58 hours for the trip. 2 1/2 days to get to BKK, no thanks I will stay with a petrol vehicle and cut 2 days off my trip.

Is that something you do every day?

[apetley]

What Tesla claim and what can achieved by their vehicles are two different things.

The BBC programme Top Gear got less than 60 miles from a full charge.

Not very impressive.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect App

Tesla Sues Top Gear Over Rigged ReviewBBC claims that the claim that the car ran out of battery was never made, just hinted to what would happen in such a case. You'd have to push it back to your garage. Tesla apparently asked the Top Gear team to correct the statements made in order to correct the impression that review can leave with viewers. That has not happened and the result is now a lawsuit. On the track, Clarkson said, the car "would" run out of juice after just 55 miles. "Would" is, of course, the keyword here. 55 miles would also require the car to be driven pretty hard. Our own experience is that the Tesla Roadster is close to about 180 - 200 miles in an everyday driving pattern.http://www.tomsguide.com/us/tesla-tesla-roadtser-top-gear-electric-car,news-10678.html

The Tesla is marketed as a performance car. If they mileage between charges at unrealistic driving speeds then that is hardly accurate. It is like Ferrari claiming 40 mpg. Yes is you drive everywhere at 30 mph.

Correct me if I am wrong but the last I heard Teslas case against the BBC had been thrown out of court in February this year.

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[jerrysteve]

Well if you run out of electricity...out in the middle of nowhere your going to S.O.LUCK

I cannot even imagine having to push an electric car with getting a Hernia.

And if I did get a Hernia with the cost of surgery to repair it, assuming I lived thru it, I would have that car towed some where and push

it over a cliff.

[apetley]

let me see, an electric vehicle gets around 150kms from a full charge and it takes between 6 - 8 to achieve a full charge. If I was driving from Chiangmai to Bangkok (around 900 kms) I would have to stop and recharge 6 times. 6 X 8 hrs = 48 hours + 10 hours actual driving = 58 hours for the trip. 2 1/2 days to get to BKK, no thanks I will stay with a petrol vehicle and cut 2 days off my trip.

Is that something you do every day?

Not if you have an electric car as it will take more than two:-)

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[jerrysteve]

If the Thai Parliment is any thing close to the U.S. Congress, there is enough gas generated in the House to power every car on the planet.

The best part of all, its a renewal resouce!

[softgeorge]

let me see, an electric vehicle gets around 150kms from a full charge and it takes between 6 - 8 to achieve a full charge. If I was driving from Chiangmai to Bangkok (around 900 kms) I would have to stop and recharge 6 times. 6 X 8 hrs = 48 hours + 10 hours actual driving = 58 hours for the trip. 2 1/2 days to get to BKK, no thanks I will stay with a petrol vehicle and cut 2 days off my trip.

Is that something you do every day?

No, just saying I would prefer to drive there in 10 hours than 58 hours.

[BuckarooBanzai]

What Tesla claim and what can achieved by their vehicles are two different things.

The BBC programme Top Gear got less than 60 miles from a full charge.

Not very impressive.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect App

Tesla Sues Top Gear Over Rigged ReviewBBC claims that the claim that the car ran out of battery was never made, just hinted to what would happen in such a case. You'd have to push it back to your garage. Tesla apparently asked the Top Gear team to correct the statements made in order to correct the impression that review can leave with viewers. That has not happened and the result is now a lawsuit. On the track, Clarkson said, the car "would" run out of juice after just 55 miles. "Would" is, of course, the keyword here. 55 miles would also require the car to be driven pretty hard. Our own experience is that the Tesla Roadster is close to about 180 - 200 miles in an everyday driving pattern.http://www.tomsguide.com/us/tesla-tesla-roadtser-top-gear-electric-car,news-10678.html

The Tesla is marketed as a performance car. If they mileage between charges at unrealistic driving speeds then that is hardly accurate. It is like Ferrari claiming 40 mpg. Yes is you drive everywhere at 30 mph.

Correct me if I am wrong but the last I heard Teslas case against the BBC had been thrown out of court in February this year.

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You are correct that the lawsuit was dismissed but not because Tesla's claims were untrue. Seems to me that facts should indeed be facts and not based on literary license."As Mike posted in November, however, it was looking unlikely that Tesla could actually prove that any substantial harm had been done, and indeed that's how it ended up, with the judge throwing out the lawsuit arguing that TV viewers are savvy enough to know that not all is as it seems. Jalopnik has a pretty decent summary of the rejection of the Tesla lawsuit (complete with gloating Top Gear fans in the comments)"http://www.treehugger.com/cars/judge-rejects-teslas-top-gear-lawsuit.html

[apetley]

What Tesla claim and what can achieved by their vehicles are two different things.

The BBC programme Top Gear got less than 60 miles from a full charge.

Not very impressive.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect App

Tesla Sues Top Gear Over Rigged ReviewBBC claims that the claim that the car ran out of battery was never made, just hinted to what would happen in such a case. You'd have to push it back to your garage. Tesla apparently asked the Top Gear team to correct the statements made in order to correct the impression that review can leave with viewers. That has not happened and the result is now a lawsuit. On the track, Clarkson said, the car "would" run out of juice after just 55 miles. "Would" is, of course, the keyword here. 55 miles would also require the car to be driven pretty hard. Our own experience is that the Tesla Roadster is close to about 180 - 200 miles in an everyday driving pattern.http://www.tomsguide.com/us/tesla-tesla-roadtser-top-gear-electric-car,news-10678.html

The Tesla is marketed as a performance car. If they mileage between charges at unrealistic driving speeds then that is hardly accurate. It is like Ferrari claiming 40 mpg. Yes is you drive everywhere at 30 mph.

Correct me if I am wrong but the last I heard Teslas case against the BBC had been thrown out of court in February this year.

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You are correct that the lawsuit was dismissed but not because Tesla's claims were untrue. Seems to me that facts should indeed be facts and not based on literary license."As Mike posted in November, however, it was looking unlikely that Tesla could actually prove that any substantial harm had been done, and indeed that's how it ended up, with the judge throwing out the lawsuit arguing that TV viewers are savvy enough to know that not all is as it seems. Jalopnik has a pretty decent summary of the rejection of the Tesla lawsuit (complete with gloating Top Gear fans in the comments)"http://www.treehugger.com/cars/judge-rejects-teslas-top-gear-lawsuit.html

Shame they couldn't sue in Thailand. Don't have to have any merit in the case to sue for defamation:-)

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[OzMick]

If they really want to encourage EVs, can I suggest an low tariff off-peak charging rate similar to storage hot water systems in Oz.

The off peak rate is when people are not actually using electricity apart from the fridge and hotwater system in the early hours of the morning, if people were to plug in thier vehicles at this time then the so called smart metres would then recalculate this time as the peak period. Electricity in Australia is actually more expensive than petrol.

Your understanding of off-peak leaves a lot to be desired. Off-peak is metered separately and supply is controlled by the power generators/distributors with only a guarantee of a certain number of hours per night. It is economical for generators to supply near-cost power in the wee hours to save them shutting down large units (expensive in terms of fuel and maintenance).

Off -peak is only available for designated uses such as HW storage systems and heat banks. To encourage EV use, chargers could be included, but off-peak might not allow enough charging time.

Relative costs of energy in Oz are hard to compare when both petrol and electricity prices are distorted out of all reality by taxes.