Thai govt to support private sector in producing electric buses

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Govt to support private sector in producing electric buses

BANGKOK, 12 May 2015, (NNT) - The government has shown support for the private sector to produce electric buses.

Director of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTSA) Taweesak Koranantakul revealed the decision came after the recent meeting of National Innovation Board.

He said the administration is set to unveil a prototype electric car within the year and would hold a production contest for electric buses. The contest winner would have its model mass-produced to 500 units for Bangkok use within the next few years.

The Ministry of Finance is currently tasked with drafting a purchasing plan for electric buses for the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). The ministry said that if such vehicles are in demand, then the BMTA should purchase them from a Thai manufacturer.

Other plans include the establishment of charging stations and setting aside a budget for research and development into electric vehicles.


-- NNT 2015-05-12

[shirtless]

Lets hope they buy at market price , I dont know why Thailand does not check what their money is being spent on

[EnglishJohn]

Oh my goodness.

This can only end in one way : a complete failure with many millions of baht wasted.

They have no clue whatsoever about R&D in Thailand. How do they think some Thai company will have 500 operational in a few years ?.

If ever proof was needed that incompetent Thais get jobs they are utterly unqualified to hold, this is it.

I'm quite certain the path of graft with all-Thai companies is much easier. No doubt it will be like that Thai UAV the Navy trumpeted everywhere a few years back : disappeared without trace along with all funding and no questions asked by the media.

[Srikcir]

"the administration ... would hold a production contest for electric buses."

Flashback to 2014-09-12

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

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

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.

So is PEA's bus a BUST?

[Srikcir]

"the administration ... would hold a production contest for electric buses."

Flashback to 2014-09-12

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

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

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.

So is PEA's bus a BUST?