FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Smart payment to cover all charging stations in boost for Thai EV industry

Smart payment to cover all charging stations in boost for Thai EV industry

Electric vehicle (EV) owners will be able to make cash-free digital payments at all charging station operators under a pilot scheme being launched early next year.

The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT) will launch the smart-card trial in Bangkok under a collaboration with its 11 partners, said EVAT president Krisda Utamote.

The move should help boost the national strategy for electric vehicles, which includes domestic manufacture of EVs and components such as batteries.

EVAT is considering whether the system will use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) debit cards, RFID credit cards or even a mobile payment application. If the system proves successful, the association will seek to expand it to charging stations nationwide. Currently, Thailand’s charging station operators use different methods to collect payment and customer data.

There are now 570 charging stations nationwide with a total of 1,800 charge-points.

However, that number is rising fast as the trend for electric cars takes off.

Thailand had just 1,572 registered EVs last year, but that number rose to 3,076 as of June and is expected to hit 5,000 by the end of the year.

Charging stations are now popping up across the country, especially at department stores to serve shoppers who own EVs.

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