Electric Vehicles in Thailand: Benefits, Prices, and Where to Buy

Electric Vehicles in Thailand Benefits, Prices, and Where to Buy

Are you in the market for an electric vehicle (EV) but aren’t sure where to start looking in Thailand? You’re not alone. 

EVs are becoming more popular in the country, but there’s little information online aside from what dealerships have to say — and they are usually biased toward what they sell.

By the end of this guide, you’ll find out how owning an EV can benefit you and your pockets in the long run. Plus you’ll discover some popular makes and costs of EVs, reputable dealerships, power considerations, and much more.

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Key Takeaways

  • EVs are less expensive to own than gas-powered vehicles over the long run
  • Do your due diligence when picking an EV, considering your driving habits, budget, and power needs
  • Charging an EV in Thailand is becoming more convenient as stations pop up all around the country
  • Despite Internet rumors, EVs are safer than gas-powered vehicles 
  • If you’re not 100 percent sold on EVs or need more horsepower requirements, you can buy a hybrid vehicle

What are EVs

EVs run solely on rechargeable batteries instead of gas or hybrid gas-electric combination systems. As opposed to being measured in horsepower, they are measured in kilowatts. The higher the kilowatt rating the more power. EVs come in a range of sizes, from tiny two-seaters to massive SUVs.

Benefits of Owning an EV in Thailand

Although everyone buys an EV for different reasons, owning one does come with some universal benefits when compared to traditional gas-powered internal combustion engines (ICE).

  • Save money over time: It’s cheaper to own and run an EV than an ICE over a seven-year period according to research from Natural Resources Defense Council. And as far as fuel costs, EV costs between THB0.5 and THB0.75 per kilometer. While gas costs THB2.5 to THB3 per kilometer. Considering that, you can save over THB3,500 a month if you drive 2,000 kilometers, on average.
  • Lower your maintenance costs: Because EVs have fewer mechanical parts than traditional vehicles, it’s cheaper to maintain them. You won’t have to pay to replace spark plugs or for routine oil changes. In fact, Consumer Reports estimates that you’ll pay half the maintenance fees for EVs than you would for gas-powered vehicles over their lifetime.
  • Improve Thailand’s environment: It’s no surprise that Thailand has an air quality issue. And although crop burning is the biggest contributor, vehicle emissions do play a role in Thailand’s toxic PM 2.5 levels. Because EVs have zero emissions, you’ll be helping everyone breathe a little easier in Thailand — and you won’t suck in exhaust smoke every time you roll down your window to pay for a toll or scan your security card to leave your moo baan or condo complex.
  • Charge while you rest: Instead of waiting in line to fill up on gas during morning rush hour, you can charge your EV overnight if your condo or house has an EV charging station.
  • Drive more comfortably: We’ve all had the experience of nearly getting hit by an EV pulling out of a parking spot at Central Mall or Mega Bangna. EVs are so quiet, you don’t even know they’re moving. This is because at lower speeds, EVs are quieter than ICEs by as much as 20 decibels. So, if you drive locally to work, you’ll have a more comfortable ride. But keep in mind that at higher speeds, EVs produce almost the same amount of road noise as ICEs.  

Downsides to Owning an EV

As with any big purchase you make, you have to weigh the pros versus the cons – and the same goes with buying an EV. That said, here are some of the downsides to owning an EV in Thailand.

  • Long charging times: If you don’t have access to a fast-charging EV station, it can take dozens of hours to fully charge the batteries with a standard charger.
  • Lack of EV charging stations in Thailand: EV charging stations are being incorporated into gas stations and in parking lots of most new 7-ELEVENs and residences. But they’re still not as easy to find as gas stations. So, if you make a long trip, you have to plan in advance where you’re going to top up your EV. And because there are usually only one or two top-up stations at any given EV station, you might have to wait for others who got there first.
  • Initial cost: Although some of the EVs listed in this article are less expensive than ICE vehicles, you still have to pay to have a fast-charging station installed at your house (optional). Finding an experienced company to install a fast-charging station can be challenging because it’s a new technology in Thailand.
  • Car insurance: Car insurance for EVs is more expensive than ICE vehicles in Thailand, mostly because of battery prices. So, be sure to contact a few insurance companies and get quotes before buying an EV.
  • Tires: Since EVs have high-torque motors, tires tend to wear out much quicker. So you can expect to replace tires more often than you would with tires on an ICE vehicle. You also have to use specific tires that are made for EVs, which, of course, are more expensive.
  • Efficiency: EVs aren’t convenient for long trips across Thailand because they only get a certain amount of kilometers per charge. You’ll have to top up more often than when driving an ICE vehicle.
  • Off-road ability: Most EVs aren’t built for off-road use because of the battery location. So, if you’re an outdoor enthusiast who drives on unpaved roads in Thailand’s countryside, you’ll have to be extra careful. You can buy an EV made for off-road use, but it’s going to be triple the cost of a standard EV and harder to find in Thailand.

Read more: Car Insurance in Thailand: A Complete Buying Guide

The EV market in Thailand is dominated by these four companies, plus a few others like Mercedes Benz. As EVs become more popular, expect to find more brands selling in the country.

BYD Brand
BYD is the most popular EV maker in Thailand.
  • BYD: Chinese company that sells electric cars, sedans, and SUVs. BYD has the strongest market share of all EVs in Thailand.
  • Neta: Neta is another Chinese EV manufacturer. Neta makes four EVs: NETA U, NETA V, NETA S, and NETA GT. The company is the second most popular EV seller in Thailand.
  • MG: MG comes in as Thailand’s third most popular EV distributor. MG vehicles are made in China, Thailand, and India. It has four models: MG4 EV, MG4 EV XPower, MG ZS EV, and MG5 EV Long Range.
  • Tesla: Tesla is an American company best known for its Model 3, Model X, Model S, and Model Y EVs. Although Teslas are not as popular as other EVs in Thailand, you can find one dealership in Bangkok (more on this below).

Cost of EVs in Thailand

You can spend anywhere from THB380,000 to over 5 million baht for an EV in Thailand. That said, below are some of the average prices for the more popular EVs in the country. 

But keep in mind that some of these prices are base costs. Add-ons, long-range models, and fast-charging cables will all increase the total price.

EVCost in Thai BahtStyleRangeMax Power
BYD Atto 3950,000SUV480 km150 kw
NETA V549,000Compact Sedan384 km55 kw
MG ZS899,900SUV440 km115 kw
Tesla Model 31,400,000Sedan405 km208 kw

EV Dealerships

EV dealerships are popping up all over Thailand. Many of them are still located in Bangkok. So, if you live in another province, you might want to spend a weekend in Bangkok looking around at different dealerships.

If you live in Northeastern Thailand, Udonthani has a few EV dealerships. As does Phuket, Chon Buri, and Rayong in other parts of the country. The links below take you to Google Maps listings for each brand in Thailand.

  • BYD: Most BYD dealerships are located in Bangkok. In fact, there are over a dozen BYD dealerships throughout the city. There is also one in Chiang Mai and a few in Northeastern Thailand.
  • Neta: Neta dealerships are mostly around Bangkok. But there’s one in Northeastern Thailand, one in Phuket, and a few in Chon Buri and Rayong.
  • MG: You can find MG dealerships all throughout Bangkok. There’s also one in Chiang Mai, one in Udonthani, and a few in Chon Buri and Rayong.

How to Charge Your EV

Charging your EV depends on where you are. Below is a list of the places in Thailand that you’ll most likely top-up when owning an electric vehicle.

EV charging stations
Most new 7-ELEVENS have EV charging stations.
  • Home: When you buy an EV, it comes with a standard charger that you can use at home. Keep in mind though that many of these chargers do not have fast-charging capabilities. So it will take at least eight hours to fully charge the batteries in your EV. But you have to make sure the outlet you connect to can handle the charging load. For safety reasons, it’s better to hire a company like CDG to install a dedicated charging station for you.
  • EV charging stations: The number of charging stations available throughout Thailand is increasing every month. As EVs become more popular in Thailand, more EV stations are being added to gas stations, convenience stores, and residences. EV stations are usually unmanned, so you’ll need to know how to charge your own car. It usually includes plugging the connector into your car, paying for the charge, then waiting for charge to finish – usually 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Convenient stores: You can charge your EV while grabbing a cold drink from a 7-ELEVEN in Thailand. Most of the newer 7-ELEVENs have fast-charging stations that you can use for a quick top-up. Index Living Mall is now starting to install EV charging stations well.
  • Shopping malls: Shopping malls are now adding fast-charging stations to their parking lots, so you can top-up while getting some shopping done at the mall. Most of these stations are fast-charging, so you won’t need to wait long.
  • Condos: Many condos in Bangkok and other provinces are adding EV charging stations to their parking lots. This way, you can park your EV in one of these spots and charge up while at home. But because there are usually a limited number of parking spots available to begin with, you may come home to find an ICE vehicle parked in the spot.

Are EVs Safe?

When it comes to EVs, every first-time buyer is concerned about safety. After all, you’re dealing with a new technology, mostly made up of electrical parts, and videos of EVs bursting into flames or exploding run rampant online.

EV catch fire
I ’ve never seen an EV catch fire in Bangkok, but I have seen a gas-powered car go up in flames.
  • Fires: Although viral Internet videos will lead you to believe otherwise, EVs do not spontaneously combust. In fact, the chance that an EV will catch fire is 0.9 out of 10,000. For every ICE vehicle, that number is 2 out of every 10,000. EV FireSafe goes further to say that there’s a 0.1 percent chance that your EV will catch fire.
  • Floods: Perhaps more important to know is whether you can drive your EV through floods. After all, Bangkok, Pattaya, and other areas are prone to severe flooding during Thailand’s rainy season. EVs, like most vehicles, shouldn’t be driven through floods even if the electrical parts are waterproof. You can still do damage to the waterproof parts, and some of them can become contaminated with debris floating in floodwaters.
  • Charging in the rain: No doubt you’ll find yourself in need of a top-up during the rainy season in Thailand, so you’ll have to charge your EV when it’s wet out. In most cases, charging in the rain is safe at EV charging stations. At home, you want to be sure you have safety features installed on your house charger so that if the water comes in contact with the electricity, the line will disconnect. That said, never charge your EV in standing water (if your neighborhood floods and the EV is sitting in the flood). And never use an extension cord to charge your EV if the cord is prone to getting wet in the rain.

How Long Does it Take to Charge an EV?

The time it takes to charge an EV depends on a few factors. Below are some of the more important ones.

  • Battery sizes: It goes without saying that the larger the battery in your EV, the longer it’s going to take to fully charge it.
  • Charger types: Because Thailand runs on 220 volts, most EVs will come with Type 2 chargers. So, depending on the type of EV you have, it could take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours to charge the batteries. If you have access to a DC fast-charging station, it’ll take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour to top up your battery.
  • Charging stations: The quality of charging stations also determines how long it takes to charge the battery. Most public EV charging stations in Thailand will provide DC fast-charging stations, so this means you won’t have to wait more than an hour for a full charge. If you have a Type 2 charging station at home, it takes 2 to 8 hours.
  • Ambient temperatures: If the ambient temperature is too high or too low, that affects charging times. You won’t have to worry about it getting too cold in Thailand, but it does get hot. So, it’s best to avoid charging your EV midday, when temperatures tend to be at their highest.
  • Charging queues: Charging times also depend on how many cars in front of you at the EV station. If there are two or three cars ahead of you, you might have to wait a while. Luckily, EV charging stations in Thailand are making it more convenient to top up your EV. You can book a time slot in advance, usually for a THB20 fee.   

How Much Does it Cost to Charge an EV?

When you fill up an ICE with gas in Thailand, you pay by the liter. But when you top up your EV battery, you pay by the kilowatt-hour (KWh).   

  • Charging stations: MEA, one of the more popular EV charging stations in Thailand, charges THB7.5 per KWh. If you have a small EV that runs on a 30 KWh battery, you pay THB225 for a full charge. If you have a larger EV that runs on a 90 KWh battery, that cost jumps to THB675.
  • At home: Provincial electric companies in Thailand charge THB4.5 per KWh. That said, you can expect to pay THB145 to charge an EV that runs on a 30 KWh battery and THB405 to top up a 90 KWh battery. 

How Do You Find a Charging Station in Thailand?

Charging stations in Thailand aren’t hard to find. The challenge is planning ahead, especially for longer trips. Luckily, there are two ways to do this: apps and maps.  

  • Saifah – EV Charging Planner App: Saifah is an app that not only specializes in locating EV charging stations in Thailand, it lets you plan your entire road trip. You can select your destination, vehicle type, which station and charging method you prefer, and even how much you want to spend on topping up your battery. You can also use the app right from your car’s web browser. 
  • Google Maps: Google Maps lists all of the charging stations available in Thailand. Although it’s not as customizable as Saifah, it’ll work in a pinch when you need to find the nearest EV charging station. Just open Google Maps on your phone and search for “EV charging stations.” 

Alternatives to EVs

EVs aren’t your only option when it comes to buying more fuel efficient or environment-friendly vehicles. Hybrid vehicles and EV bikes are also popular in Thailand.

Electric bikes
Electric bikes like this one on the right are becoming more popular in Thailand, especially with food delivery drivers.
  • Hybrid vehicles: Honda and Mercedes Benz produce a number of hybrid vehicles that are popular in Thailand. These hybrids run off both electric and gas. Usually, for city driving the electrical system takes over, while for highway driving the gas system kicks in. This will save you a little bit of money if you’re a local commuter.
  • EV scooters/motorbikes: EV scooters and motorbikes work just the same as the EVs mentioned throughout this guide and are becoming more popular in Thailand. Swag EV and Falcon Go are two major makers in the country. EV scooters and motorbikes, however, are much more expensive than gas-powered ones. Expect to pay at least THB50,000 for a good quality scooter or motorbike.

How to Choose the Right EV

Knowing all that you now know about the EV market in Thailand, how do you pick the right vehicle for your needs? Here are a few things to consider.

  • Driving distance: If you live in Bangkok and commute from Bang Na to Nonthaburi for work, you won’t need a long-range EV. Instead, you can save tens of thousands of baht and buy a short-range EV model. But if you live in Bangkok and sometimes commute to Chon Buri and even Rayong for occasional work or meetings, you’ll need a long-range EV.
  • Charging time: Most EVs nowadays are fast-charging as long as you have the right connector and charging station. But if you don’t, then charging time can become an issue. If you don’t need to charge your EV in under an hour, you can opt for less expensive charging equipment and save some money.
  • Your budget: Your budget will help you decide which EV you can afford to buy. You obviously don’t want to splurge on a Tesla and pay for all the import fees if it’s going to put you in a financial hole. If you’re on a budget, you can always buy a BYD, which would most likely be built in Rayong, cutting back on import fees. 

Now, on to You

The EV market in Thailand is growing exponentially, which means you have a lot of options when it comes to buying an electric vehicle.

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Just be sure you know what you need as far as power consumption and how much you can afford to spend upfront, because you’ll need to install a charging station at your residence if one is not provided.

But in the long run, EVs are less expensive to own and maintain than gas-powered vehicles and, oftentimes, safer and more environmentally friendly to own. 

John Wolcott is the global editor for ExpatDen. He's a New Jersey native who now lives in Bangkok with his wife and two daughters.
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