The Industry Ministry has launched a fresh state-private campaign to fuel demand for electric vehicles (EVs) by encouraging firms to replace oil-powered cars with electric autos, with 2,000 EVs to be piloted by Concrete Products and Aggregate Co (CPAC).
The ministry yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with CPAC, a subsidiary of industrial conglomerate Siam Cement Group (SCG), hoping the cooperation will pave the way for an increase in the use of EVs in the industrial sector.
The ministry and CPAC agreed to promote electric-powered vehicles, following the National EV Policy Committee's target to have 50% of vehicles made locally be EVs by 2030.
Establishment of the EV industry cannot be made without growing demand for EVs, said Kobchai Sungsitthisawad, permanent secretary for industry.
"The government wants private companies to join the campaign because they use many cars in their operations. This will help the government attain its goal," he said.
Chana Poomee, the vice-president of SCG's cement and construction solution business, said the company supports the government's policy to promote EVs as part of SCG's business direction based on environmental, social and governance standards.
CPAC plans to change 2,000 trucks, including those carrying cement, and forklifts to electric-powered vehicles. Within 2035, all of its vehicles will become a fleet of EVs, he expects.
"We plan to import EV components to assemble cement grinder trucks," said Mr Chana, adding the firm will start with piloting two electric-powered cement grinder trucks for the first time in Thailand this year.
If the plan is successful, the company will expand EV technology to cover more trucks in Bangkok and upcountry between 2022 and 2023.
