Thairath Poll Reveals 55% of Thais Prefer Hybrid Cars Citing Easy Repairs and No Charging Waits

A Thairath poll reveals that over 55% of Thais consider hybrid cars the best fit, primarily due to widespread service centers, while electric vehicles (EVs) still face concerns about charging locations.

A deep dive into consumer behavior: What factors influence Thais' car choices?

Thailand's automotive market is at a critical turning point transitioning to alternative energy vehicles. However, Thai society's context and practical convenience remain key factors influencing car-buying decisions today.

According to a Thairath poll on consumer behavior, notable insights about car purchasing and usage include the following:

• 59.33% of respondents prioritize having many service centers and easily available spare parts as the top factor when choosing a car for 5-10 years of use.
• The next important factor, at 20.73%, is selecting a vehicle with high clearance to handle flooding or rough roads comfortably.
• Concerns about resale value not dropping sharply rank at 10.85%.
• Interest in modern design and advanced technology stands at 9.09%.

Hybrid cars best meet current Thai consumers' needs.

Despite the rising popularity of electric vehicles, hybrid technology best suits the lifestyles of Thais today.

• When asked which engine technology makes life easiest in Thailand now, 55.67% chose hybrid vehicles.
• The second most chosen are 100% gasoline-engine cars at 25.63%.
• Electric vehicles (EVs) rank third in popularity here at 10.91%.
• Alternative fuel vehicles such as LPG or NGV account for 7.79%.
• Regarding fuel economy for comfortable travel, 51.28% believe hybrid systems offering about 32 km per liter best meet their needs.
• Only 8.54% think that 100% electric cars provide the greatest cost savings for travel.

Main concerns: Avoiding long waits and costly repairs.

Long-distance travel and hidden expenses remain key obstacles in choosing vehicle types.

• The most dreaded situation on long interprovincial trips is spending excessive time waiting to charge or competing for charging stations, cited by 43.06%.
• Concerns about paying high fuel prices stand at 36.94%.
• The biggest hidden cost worries beyond car payments are repair and spare parts expenses, reaching 45.39%.
• Other concerns include annual insurance premiums at 23.37% and long-term battery replacement costs at 17.24%.

Respondent demographics.

The Thairath poll shows most respondents are male at 55.89%, followed by females at 35.31%.

By age, those 45 and older, considered experienced vehicle users, make up the largest group at 65.48%, followed by ages 35-44 at 13.73%, and 25-34 at 11.22%.

Regarding residence, most respondents live in Bangkok and its metropolitan area (59.12%), while those living in other provinces and major cities like Chiang Mai, Chonburi, and Khon Kaen account for 21.99% and 18.90%, respectively.

The Thairath poll results reflect that Thai consumers still prioritize long-term reliability, including comprehensive service coverage, ease of maintenance, and travel convenience. This makes hybrid technology the choice that balances economy and comfort best, while full EVs, despite their energy cost advantages, continue to face consumer concerns over charging infrastructure limitations and long-term battery expenses.