Old Car for New Car Program 2026 Phase One Expected to Open Registration for 20,000 Vehicles

The conditions for the Old Car for New Car Program 2026 have been revealed, with phase one expected to open registration for 20,000 vehicles. A key requirement is that the cars must be manufactured in Thailand and emit low carbon only.

Following the Ministry of Finance's approval for Government Savings Bank to offer low-interest loans up to 2 million baht for purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) and electric motorcycles on 11 Apr 2026, as previously reported,the Old Car for New Car program has not yet been launched, butthe Ministry of Financehas approved low-interest loans for purchasing EVs.)

Many anticipate that the Old Car for New Car program will be approved by the Cabinet after Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas gavean interviewto the media regarding the Ministry of Finance's economic policy initiatives on 10 Apr 2026.

Recently, a brief report from the Excise Department revealed that the Old Car for New Car Program 2026 is currently being designed with two main criteria:

1. The vehicle must emit low carbon, aligning with the Excise Department’s tax structure based on carbon emissions.

2. The vehicle must be manufactured in Thailand to promote and develop the domestic automotive industry.

Which vehicles qualify for the Old Car for New Car Program 2026?

It is expected that the eligible vehicles will include:

1. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV)

2. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV)

3. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)

Conditions of the Old Car for New Car Program 2026

• Details on how old the old vehicles must be to qualify for exchange are still pending clarification.
• Government subsidies will be provided through car manufacturers to directly reduce the retail price for customers, effectively lowering the sticker price.
• The first phase quota is expected to pilot between 10,000 and 20,000 vehicles.

However, final details await confirmation from the Ministry of Finance andthe Excise Department.Further updates will be reported as they become available.