"Siripong" has instructed the Land Transport Department to resolve the urgent issue of luxury EV fires by immediately suspending new registrations and recalling 1,668 vehicles in Thailand for battery replacement.
On 21 May 2026, Thitipat Thaichongrak, Director of the Automotive Engineering Office and spokesperson for the Land Transport Department, revealed that the fire incidents involving Volvo EX30 electric vehicles had raised concerns among road users. Siripong Angkasungkitti, Deputy Minister of Transport, ordered the department to investigate. The latest update confirms that representatives from Volvo Car (Thailand) Ltd. have provided a detailed engineering explanation. The investigation found key evidence indicating that the fires were caused by defects within the high-voltage battery cell system.
The Land Transport Department spokesperson added that as a remedy, Volvo has prepared replacement parts and will begin recalling all affected EX30 vehicles operating in Thailand—a total of 1,668 units—for battery module replacement at service centers starting 25 May 2026.
"The Land Transport Department has instructed Volvo to urgently replace the batteries in all affected vehicles and to provide special communication channels advising owners on safe usage while awaiting repairs. Additionally, the company must submit regular progress reports until all claims are fully resolved," said Thitipat. To ensure maximum public safety, the department has ordered an immediate suspension of new registrations (red plates) for the Volvo EX30 model until the defect is corrected and the vehicles pass safety tests.
Thitipat further stated that the suspension of vehicle type approval will prevent any newly manufactured or imported Volvo EX30 vehicles from being registered until this issue is resolved. However, this measure applies only to future new vehicles and does not affect the rights of vehicles already registered and in use.