Akkaradej raises concerns over EV safety, calling for TISI to expedite standards for lithium battery fire extinguishing agents amid fears of reactive measures after incidents.
On 25 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Akkaradej Wongpitakroj, Ratchaburi MP from the Bhumjaithai Party and chairman of the subcommittee reviewing complaints and studying the missions of judicial, independent, prosecutorial bodies, state enterprises, public organizations, and funds, chaired a subcommittee meeting. The session reviewed fire safety measures for electric vehicles and the role of state funds supporting technology development and safety standards. Representatives from four key agencies—the Department of Land Transport, Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), Board of Investment (BOI), and the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)—were invited to provide information.
Akkaradej stated that with the continuous rise of electric vehicles, safety concerns—especially fire risks—must be a government priority alongside promoting the EV industry. Preventive measures should start early, not just reactive responses after incidents occur. Particularly, electrical system components and batteries need clearly defined standards to ensure quality and safety for consumers and to boost industry confidence.
He requested the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) to expedite establishing and defining standards for equipment and products with safety risks. This aims to ensure regulatory oversight keeps pace with changes in EV technology, especially for electrical systems, charging devices, and batteries.
"As EV numbers increase, safety standards must advance in parallel. We should not wait for incidents to set standards but prevent issues from the start. Standards related to lithium battery fire extinguishing agents, electrical systems, and batteries must be clearly defined and quality controlled," Akkaradej said.
He added that improving EV safety requires integration among multiple agencies: the Department of Land Transport for vehicle regulation and use; TISI for product standards; BOI for investment promotion; and NRCT for supporting research and innovation. This will create a connected mechanism linking transport, standards, investment, and research.
The subcommittee will gather information and proposals from relevant agencies to study and formulate policy recommendations to enhance fire prevention measures and EV safety standards, keeping pace with technological development and supporting the growth of EVs in Thailand.