In an ambitious endeavour to curb carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the executive branch of the government is laying out plans to phase out its fleet of traditional vehicles in favour of electric vehicles (EVs). This move was unveiled recently by a confidential source inside Government House. As per the source, the Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin has formally communicated the government’s robust initiative to accelerate the EV adoption process through an official notification forwarded to the Secretariat of the Cabinet earlier this week.
The elaborate plan encompasses an array of strategic steps including measures pertaining to vehicle replacement. The responsibility of orchestrating the EV procurement process to swap some of the antiquated government vehicles which are nearing the end of their operational life, has been designated to the Finance and Energy Ministries. They will partner with key stakeholders such as the Budget Bureau, the Office of the Council of State and relevant sectors to ensure a smooth and efficient transit.
Furthermore, the directive consists of several other instrumental measures that are intended to bolster the proliferation of EVs in public life. The Finance and Transport Ministries have been commissioned to derive an innovative blueprint to revolutionize public transportation with e-buses, e-taxis, and e-tuk-tuks.
In an effort to cater to the essential demands of private EV users at a pan-nation level, the Transport and Energy ministries are to collaborate with pertinent sectors to establish a network of EV charging stations across the country and stimulate the rise of supportive infrastructures.
Another facet of this comprehensive initiative requires the Transport Ministry to engage with interchangeable sectors to explore feasible measures to assist users of internal combustion engine vehicles to switch to EVs. This includes aspects such as disposal of end-of-life vehicles and recycling of auto parts.
On top of these measures, the government will also throw its weight behind the growth of EV supply chains in the country. A particular emphasis will be put on fostering domestic production of EV components as part of the government’s robust zero-emission vehicle policies. Envisioning a prosperous EV sector, the government aims to spike EV production by 30 percent by the year 2030 and pivot Thailand to be recognized as the EV hub in the Southeast Asian region.
This EP-related strategy holds significance as one of the government’s major endeavours to uphold its commitment to carbon neutrality. Thailand has officially pledged to the United Nations that it will strive towards accomplishing absolute carbon neutrality by 2050 and achieving a net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emission landscape by 2065. Simultaneously, Thailand is also eyeing to emerge as a frontrunner in the carbon neutrality movement in the Southeast Asian circuit, with sustainable development acting as the key propeller for its economic growth.
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