PEA introduces Thailand's first electric passenger bus
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Sept 12 -- Thailand's Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) has introduced the first locally developed electric bus and services will begin next year.

Governor Numchai Lowattanatakul presided over a PEA ceremony to introduce the pollution-free Ze-bus and its charging station in the PEA's head office today.

PEA's technological research and development fund and Suranaree University of Technology jointly produced the electric bus with 43 seats.

It is believed to be the first commercial electric bus made in Thailand.

It has a low floor to serve people with disabilities and is equipped with Internet and a GPS tracking system. It was assembled at the Cherdchai factory.

The PEA will test the bus during the next six months. If results are satisfactory, it will deploy the vehicle to serve its staff next year.

Later the PEA will promote the commercial use of such buses that can halve energy costs compared with oil-powered buses. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-09-12

Well done guys,

Hope it works out fine

These have to be better than those buses belching black smoke, though I think it will be many years before we see the end of the belching buses.

But good on them for making a start on this project.

Very good news !

Indeed^^^, it has to be an advance over the 'orrible black smoke belchers.

It does however explain the complete absence of D size batteries in our local Tesco.

Yes, well usually there is pollution attached to the manufacture of electricity which is needed to charge the bus. Also the final disposal of batteries is not without risk of pollution.

Yes, well usually there is pollution attached to the manufacture of electricity which is needed to charge the bus. Also the final disposal of batteries is not without risk of pollution.

This is good news, but if it goes into general service-Local/distance, the batteries have a better chance to outlive the buses (accident past record)

but is a + for Thailand.

Yes, well usually there is pollution attached to the manufacture of electricity which is needed to charge the bus. Also the final disposal of batteries is not without risk of pollution.

And how about the maintenance? Let's hope ones that need fixing aren't sitting in a warehouse for ages on end...

Yes, well usually there is pollution attached to the manufacture of electricity which is needed to charge the bus. Also the final disposal of batteries is not without risk of pollution.

And how about the maintenance? Let's hope ones that need fixing aren't sitting in a warehouse for ages on end...

Maintenance ??? it will be new, So Thai thinking -it will not need checking for 4 years at least, unless the new OPM can get round to ensuring different methods.

Yes, well usually there is pollution attached to the manufacture of electricity which is needed to charge the bus. Also the final disposal of batteries is not without risk of pollution.

And how about the maintenance? Let's hope ones that need fixing aren't sitting in a warehouse for ages on end...

There's an economic case for not doing maintenance on non-critical things.

Range before recharging? Come on, some details would be nice.

Though actual live testing is going ahead - hope they remember rush hour - unless of course the aircon will turn off when stopped in traffic?

Personally considering the capital cost of a bus, I would have preferred a design using a gas turbine to power a generator - range/time limited only by the gas.

I have a zero emission vehicle solar powered

new photos 21-02-14 003.JPG I have a zero emission vehicle solar powered

Very good too!! I like the aircon system

hope this is the beginning of something good... hopelfully the busses are not sold at 3x normal price as that would kill the future instantly

PEA introduces a locally developed electric bus - no information on specifications nor commercial cost.

On the other hand there is the already commercially-available electric bus manufactured by the BYD Company with sales offices located throughout Asia. I hope PEA's electric bus isn't a knockoff copy only to charge a substantial higher price to cover PEA's local "research & development" costs.

Watch this budget

I drive a petrol hybrid Toyota Prius taxi which gives ~20km/l city driving. The car is a bit small and they are being phased out in favour of hybrid Camrys which get about the same. Google for specs and operating method.

The biggest problem is that the main storage batteries are dying at approx 5years/500,000km and cost ~$4000 to replace. This in a car that has a 6 year life as a cab and minimal resale value.

BTW the a/c works with the engine shutdown. Why would it shut down in a battery powered bus?

I drive a petrol hybrid Toyota Prius taxi which gives ~20km/l city driving. The car is a bit small and they are being phased out in favour of hybrid Camrys which get about the same. Google for specs and operating method.

The biggest problem is that the main storage batteries are dying at approx 5years/500,000km and cost ~$4000 to replace. This in a car that has a 6 year life as a cab and minimal resale value.

BTW the a/c works with the engine shutdown. Why would it shut down in a battery powered bus?

That's about 0.80 cents per Km. Is that not reasonable ?