Thai Cabinet approves electric car support, railway extension investment

[webfact]

Cabinet approves electric car support, railway extension investment

 

BANGKOK, 29 March 2017 (NNT) – The Cabinet has approved private investment in the 3 phases of the Blue Line rail extension while also pushing through measures aimed at increasing the country’s use of electric cars to up to 30,000 vehicles over the next 5 years. 

Minister of Industry Uttama Saowanayon disclosed that the latest Cabinet meeting agreed with tax incentives proposed by the Board of Investment (BOI) designed to attract drivers towards electric cars. The measures are aimed at all 3 types of electric cars; hybrids, plug-in cars and battery powered vehicles and include tax breaks for parts producers and excise tax discounts for importing batteries. 

Moreover, the Cabinet agreed that state vehicle purchases should be electric cars and that tourism zones should be limited to electric vehicles. The changes are expected to attract 20 billion baht in investment over the next 3 years and for 20-30,000 electric cars to be introduced to the nation over the next 5 years. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Office Adviser Nutthaporn Jatusripitak revealed that the Cabinet approved the selection of private investors for the Blue Line rail extensions Hua Lamphong-Bang Sue, Hua Lamphong-Bang Kae and Bang Sue-Ta Phra phases. Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM), a BOI supported entity, has been green lit to handle the projects. 

The gathering of Cabinet members also pushed through the principles for a draft on allowing the 6 nations of the Mekong River to each have 500 transport vehicles approved for free travel across Thailand’s borders.

 

-- nnt 2017-03-29

[fruitman]

Why not start with electric riverboats for tourists/commuters? Just like in Singapore?

[Redline]

Forget it.  Electric cars aren't loud

[Dumbastheycome]

3 hours ago, Redline said:

Forget it.  Electric cars aren't loud

If for  no other reason,  great!

[williamgeorgeallen]

thailand has some good car manufacturing facilities and could lead the world with the production of electric cars even if it has to be in partnership with foreign companies. change comes slow in thailand of course.

[Redline]

On 3/29/2017 at 8:27 PM, Dumbastheycome said:

If for  no other reason,  great!

Unfortunately, they like loud here.  Loud motorbikes, loud motorcycles, loud cars, loud music, loud talking (not so much in restaurants), loudspeakers on trucks....

[Dumbastheycome]

2 hours ago, Redline said:

Unfortunately, they like loud here.  Loud motorbikes, loud motorcycles, loud cars, loud music, loud talking (not so much in restaurants), loudspeakers on trucks....

I  have  noticed.