EPPO supports electric vehicles

BANGKOK, Nov 8 (TNA) -- The Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) is supporting the use of electric vehicles and proceeding with the fourth round of its selection of charging station owners to have a total of 150 stations next year. EPPO director-general Twarath Sutabutr who is also the spokesman of the Energy Ministry said the ministry hoped to see 1.2 million electric vehicles and 690 charging stations in the country by 2036. Before that, the ministry wishes there will be 150 charging stations next year. The EPPO assigns the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand to invite interested parties to build charging stations. Its fourth round of invitations drew many interested parties and the association selected developers for 24 charging stations comprising 20 ordinary charging stations and four quick charging stations. The association has yet to sign contracts with the selected parties. Mr Twarath said that the Energy Ministry was confident there would be 150 pilot charging stations within 2018 as planned. Since the invitations started in October 2016, owners of 101 charging stations have been selected. Today there are 12 charging stations including those at the Pollution Control Department, the Bangchak Ratchaphruek 2 gas station, Terminal 21 shopping center, Crystal Design Center and Siam Technology College. Information on the charging stations is available at www.evat.or.th, Mr Twarath said. (TNA)