Thailand’s insufficient EV charging infrastructure is a serious obstacle that is delaying the country's shift to electric mobility. The country’s electric vehicle market is expanding quickly thanks to government backing and an increase in
. The development of public charging infrastructure is therefore crucial as the demand for EVs grows. To tackle this issue, the Thai government and commercial sectors are collaborating to extend its network of charging stations. However, there are still obstacles to overcome to en sure that the rate at which charging stations are installed keeps up with the rapidly expanding EV market.
The EV-charging landscape in Thailand
Although the number of EV charging stations in Thailand has increased significantly, there are still too few chargers relative to the number of registered EVs. In 2023, the
number of EV charging locations in Thailand amounted to more than 2,600. As EV registrations increase, the ratio of EVs to charging locations is predicted to grow, posing a problem for the infrastructure. Leading EV countries like China, on the other hand, have substantially lower ratios. The distribution of charging stations is still not uniform; the majority are in Bangkok, and there is still insufficient coverage in rural areas.
Under the "Blue Point" project, the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) runs EV Station PluZ, the largest charging network in the nation, which has expanded beyond gas stations to include malls and urban areas. Access to charging stations is also being expanded through collaborations between Bangchak gas stations and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA). Even with these initiatives, additional growth is required to meet demand, especially in upcountry areas where enterprises depend on long-distance transportation. Thailand allows for the possibility of using both the CCS2 and CHAdeMO fast-charging protocols for EV consumers. But if expansion initiatives fall short, the disparity between EV sales and the availability of charging stations might keep growing. The same goes for
electric motorcycle battery swapping stations, which are mostly aggregated in Bangkok and its vicinity.
Is Thailand’s EV charging network ready to ease consumer fears?
The advantages of electric vehicles for the environment and their reduced long-term operating costs are attracting more Thai consumers.
EV ownership has become increasingly attractive due to government subsidies, tax advantages, and initiatives. But for many people, especially outside of Bangkok where the infrastructure for charging is still lacking, range anxiety still poses a problem. Unsurprisingly, in a survey conducted in 2023 in Thailand,
the leading concern about all battery-powered electric vehicles was the lack of public EV charging infrastructure.
The convenience of charging stations is enhanced in metropolitan areas, yet the growing quantity of electric vehicles per station is causing congestion at these locations.
The charging interface protocols have an impact on the user experience as well. While using both the Japanese-standard CHAdeMO and the European-standard CCS2 gives purchasers options, it also raises doubts about which standard will ultimately win out. To ensure they can confidently travel longer distances,
Thai consumers are expecting faster charging times and wider coverage in rural areas. These worries will be lessened with the further expansion of charging stations, but for the time being, many prospective buyers are holding out for additional infrastructure advancements.
Unlocking opportunities in Thailand’s growing EV charging market
The market for BEVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) is still growing, thus there is a lot of room for expansion in Thailand's EV charging sector. To help overcome the gap between supply and demand, the government is providing incentives for businesses to build more charging stations, such as tax exemptions and subsidies. However, if EV sales continue to rise faster than infrastructure development, shortages may result, particularly in remote areas.
Thailand's dedication to growing its EV industry puts it in a position to lead Southeast Asia's green energy transition. To meet the rising demand for charging stations in the future, there will need to be more competition among private businesses and cooperation with state-owned corporations.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no
liability for the information given being complete or correct.
Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date
data than referenced in the text.
