ภาษาไทยNumber of electric tuk-tuks rising with demand for green transport
A maker of electric tuk-tuks – Thailand’s iconic gas-guzzling three-wheeled taxis – said that nearly 500 are already on the road and he will have 5,000 nationwide within five years, as the energy conglomerate PTT announced that it will build 7,000 charging stations by 2030.
Many tourists cannot resist a freewheeling ride in the colorfully decorated tuk-tuks to really fully experience Thai-style transportation in the Kingdom’s capital. Locals also readily flag down a tuk-tuk when they are in a hurry or want an open-air ride.
“The benefits of electric tuk-tuks are quite clear in terms of the environment,” said Krisada Kritayakirana, Co-Founder and CEO of start-up Urban Mobility Tech who’s electric tuk-tuks are branded as Muvmi (move me). “With the electric tuk-tuks, basically you do not have any noise and no emission from tailpipes,” Krisada added.
Electric tuk-tuks are becoming more frequently seen around trendy areas like Thonglor in Sukhumvit. Krisada also said that in 2022, their number increased from 263 to 498, according to the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand.
Their growth potential is great. Krisada added that Muvmi plans to increase its fleet from 350 to more than 1,000 in Bangkok, climbing to 5,000 across the Kingdom within five years.
Businesses and condominiums are among the main buyers. Vichian Suksoir, Deputy Executive Director of Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (NIA), said that many hotels are purchasing electric tuk-tuks to transport guests.
EV tuk-tuks are just a small slice of Thailand’s EV market. To support the expansion of the market, Thailand’s largest energy conglomerate, PTT Group, mentioned that it will build a nationwide EV charging network with over 7,000 stations by the end of this decade.
Thailand’s government has set a target for EVs to represent 50 percent of locally-made vehicles by 2030, and is aiming to make the Kingdom an EV manufacturing hub.
Photo courtesy of https://www.banpunext.co.th/en/news-updates/banpu-next-joins-hands-with-umt-drive-smart-city