The Ministry of Transport has revealed a plan to inject 20 billion baht to support seven transport groups in transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs). The model highlights subsidies for down payments, half-interest assistance, and 0% annual vehicle tax. Discussions with the Ministry of Finance are scheduled this week to revise new vehicle hire-purchase schemes. The package aims to incentivize down payment support and exemption from annual vehicle tax, expecting to attract over 100,000 end-of-life vehicles nationwide into the clean energy system.
Siripong Angkasangkulkiat, Deputy Minister of Transport, disclosed progress on support measures for transport operators transitioning from fossil fuel vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). Currently, the Ministry of Transport is preparing to consult with the Ministry of Finance this week to finalize assistance formats for seven affected transport groups severely impacted by the energy crisis and rising operational costs. The goal is to promptly present the matter to the Cabinet for approval.
Regarding adjustments to the project format, the approach will move away from simply trading old vehicles for new ones. Instead, options may include leasing or purchasing new vehicles. The ministry will propose assistance such as subsidizing down payments for new vehicles, sharing interest payments equally, or tax measures like reducing the annual vehicle tax to zero to effectively encourage the shift to clean energy.
The target groups for assistance cover seven main transport operator categories: taxis; scheduled passenger vans; buses or scheduled passenger buses; songthaews; personal hire vehicles (up to 7 passengers); tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis; and freight trucks.
An initial assessment estimates that budget support of approximately 10 to 20 billion baht from the Ministry of Finance will be needed. The focus will be on vehicles nearing legal end-of-life first, as these are vehicles that must be replaced. Nearly 100,000 vehicles nationwide qualify, such as songthaews exceeding 10 years of service, currently numbering about 17,000 units.
Additionally, the measures will be voluntary for operators whose vehicles are not yet expired but who wish to switch to EVs to reduce fuel costs; they may also apply for support. As for extending the service life of public passenger vans, the ministry no longer offers extensions due to several prior relaxations. It is now viewed that these vans must be replaced by minibuses as mandated by law to ensure passenger safety and welfare.
, State Policy Additional