ส.อ.ท. เข้าร่วมประชุมบอร์ดอีวี สนับสนุนอุตฯ ยานยนต์ไฟฟ้าและการผลิตชิ้นส่วนในไทยFTI Participates in EV Board Meeting to Support Electric Vehicle Industry and Component Manufacturing in Thailand

On February 21, 2024, Mr. Kiangkrai Theeranukul, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), attended the first 2024 meeting of the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee (EV Board), presided over by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Important resolutions included progress on the promotion of the electric vehicle industry, updates on the execution of the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee's resolutions, consideration of measures to support the use of large commercial electric vehicles (buses and trucks), and measures to promote the production of batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems at Phakdi Bodinthorn Building, Government House.

The meeting approved the revised measures to support the use of large commercial electric vehicles, including electric buses (E-Bus) and electric trucks (E-Truck), to help the business sector reduce carbon emissions, thereby assisting Thailand in achieving its carbon neutrality targets, as well as fostering a commercial electric vehicle manufacturing base domestically. These measures will allow companies or corporate partnerships to deduct expenses when calculating corporate income tax for the purchase of electric buses and electric trucks for use, with no cap on the maximum price. For vehicles produced/assembled in the country, expenses can be deducted at double the rate, and for imported complete vehicles, expenses can be deducted at 1.5 times. This measure will remain in effect until the end of 2025, and the meeting assigned the Ministry of Finance, through the Revenue Department, to consider the implementation guidelines and proceed with the next steps. The introduction of these measures builds upon the EV3 and EV3.5 policies, focusing mainly on passenger cars, motorcycles, and pickup trucks. It is anticipated that these measures will accelerate the transition of large commercial vehicles to electric vehicles by at least 10,000 units, helping to reduce emissions in the transport sector and reinforcing Thailand's position as a regional EV hub for all types of vehicles.

Additionally, the meeting approved measures to promote investment in the production of cell-level batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS) to attract cell battery manufacturers utilizing advanced technology to invest in Thailand. Investors will be able to request benefits and financial support from the National Competitive Enhancement Fund under the BOI, with preliminary conditions for investors as follows: (1) Must be a leading battery manufacturer that supplies to electric vehicle manufacturers; (2) Must have a production plan for batteries for electric vehicles and may also produce batteries for energy storage systems (ESS); (3) Must produce batteries with specific energy values of no less than 150 Wh/Kg; and (4) Must have a life cycle of no less than 1,000 cycles. The proposal for the investment project must be submitted by 2027. Regarding the management of used batteries in the country, the meeting emphasized the need for effective management, safety standards, and maximization of economic benefits. Therefore, the meeting assigned the subcommittee on promoting the electric vehicle and component manufacturing industry to study comprehensive management approaches for used batteries to determine suitable measures going forward.

Moreover, the EV Board meeting approved the improvement of Phase 2 support measures for the use of electric vehicles or EV 3.5, such as expanding the eligibility of electric vehicles to include passenger vehicles with seating capacity not exceeding 10 people and increasing the eligibility criteria for electric motorcycles that have battery sizes below 3 kWh but can travel more than 75 kilometers per charging cycle and meet safety standards to participate in the EV3.5 measures. This aims to better meet the needs of operators. Previously, government measures to promote the electric vehicle industry have been able to significantly stimulate the domestic EV market, as evidenced by the registration of over 76,000 EVs in 2023, an increase of 6.5 times from the previous year, leading to investment in a comprehensive EV industry. According to data at the end of 2023, the BOI has promoted 103 EV projects with a total investment of 77,192 million baht, comprising 18 EV car projects worth 40,004 million baht, 9 EV motorcycle projects worth 848 million baht, 3 EV bus and truck projects worth 2,200 million baht, 39 projects for batteries for EVs and ESS worth 23,904 million baht, 20 projects for important components worth 6,031 million baht, and 14 charging station projects worth 4,205 million baht.

Furthermore, Mr. Kiangkrai highlighted the importance of driving the Thai automotive industry during the meeting, stating that the FTI is working on the modern automotive cluster (Cluster of FTI Future Mobility-ONE or CFM-ONE) to promote Thailand as a global production base for modern vehicles, particularly Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV), and to encourage the localization of components to preserve the industry and jobs. He proposed that the FTI be involved in the subcommittee under the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee, which will foster collaboration between the government and private sector to continue driving industry growth.