Thailand targets 30% EV production to contain pollution

NEW DELHI: As part of its efforts to tackle air pollution, Thailand is targeting to produce 30 per cent electric cars by the end of this decade. Some of the efforts to achieve the 2030 target include encouraging the use of electric vehicles by state agencies, tax benefits and parking discounts, etc.

Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Minister of Industry, Government of Thailand, said that the government wants to accelerate the usage and production of electric vehicles. He added that Thailand has an advantage as it is a car production hub and now it’s time to focus on EVs. However, the contribution of vehicular pollution to overall air pollution is very little compared to other factors such as crop burning or forest fires. A report by Nissan Motor Co. showed that 91 per cent of Thais would purchase an EV due to environmental impacts.

Body of Investment of Thailand has already granted EV privileges to more than a dozen companies including Nissan, Toyota, Mercedes Benz, BMW, etc. In November, the Thailand government approved new schemes to boost production of EVs and its supply chain, including a three-year tax relaxation to the manufacturers of plug-in hybrid vehicles and an income tax waiver of 8 years for battery electric vehicle makers.