Electric vehicles have bright prospect

BANGKOK, May 31 (TNA) -- The number of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids is expected to rise by more than 10,000 units a year if China and Japan announces to invest in the sector in the country. Narat Leeraphan, chairman of Polytechnology Co, said the sales of electric vehicles in Thailand were growing by 10,000 units a year and if Japan and China announced to invest in the sector in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), the sales would grow faster. The government expected the number of electric vehicles in the country to reach 1.2 million in 2036, he said. His company planned to team up with EFACEC Co from Spain to build a plant to produce quick chargers in the EEC and the chargers would be able to recharge electric vehicles in 10 minutes, Mr Narat said. It would sell the quick chargers in Southeast Asia. Chayapol Leeraphan, business development manager of GLT Green (Thailand) Co – a subsidiary of Polytechnology, said GLT Green (Thailand) was contracted to install 20 charging stations with 30 charging outlets for PTT Plc. Other customers included Central Pattana Public Company Limited (CPN) and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), he said. Polytechnology holds a 51% stake in GLT Green (Thailand) and the rest 49% stake belongs to Greenlots of the United States. Greenlots developed recharger software for 18 countries including the US, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand, Mr Chayapol said. (TNA)