I see the eco car segment in Thailand have lowered tax rates due to reduced emissions. Based on engine capacity or whatever.

Why isn't electric cars (Nissan Leaf and BMW i3) given a tax incentives due to zero emissions? They don't have an engine so how do they calculate the tax and tarrifs?

Looking at a new Nissan Leaf is 2.49 million baht and the i3 is 3.4 million baht.

Does it come down to protecting the local car industry?

EV's and Hybrids have had a special excise tax rate of 10% for around 8 years now.

The only change in the 2016 rules is they do actually start looking at their emissions now - so they have to actually work to get the special rate. i.e. That means the Camry Hybrid no longer gets the 10% rate.

The new vehicle excise taxes are really just a way to increase excise tax revenue under the disguise of protecting the environment.

EV's and Hybrids have had a special excise tax rate of 10% for around 8 years now.

The only change in the 2016 rules is they do actually start looking at their emissions now - so they have to actually work to get the special rate. i.e. That means the Camry Hybrid no longer gets the 10% rate.

If Thailan real care about clean air and amission

Up Year Tax on all disel car same in China , where have real big problem clean air in city.

And what we see? disel cost it cheapest than benzine.

So its just public "GOOD face"

And help raise taxes in budget.

And ofcouse disel ingine because the country is not rich, so care about protection economic from oil crises.

This somewhat reasonable way.

EV's and Hybrids have had a special excise tax rate of 10% for around 8 years now.

The only change in the 2016 rules is they do actually start looking at their emissions now - so they have to actually work to get the special rate. i.e. That means the Camry Hybrid no longer gets the 10% rate.

If Thailan real care about clean air and amission

Up Year Tax on all disel car same in China , where have real big problem clean air in city.

And what we see? disel cost it cheapest than benzine.

So its just public "GOOD face"

And help raise taxes in budget.

And ofcouse disel ingine because the country is not rich, so care about protection economic from oil crises.

This somewhat reasonable way.

The thing is, the Thai manufacturing supply chain isn't yet supplying EV parts - so any incentive right now just means more imported content in Thai assembly lines...