Bangkok authorities impose stricter exhaust-smoke limits for diesel vehicles amid Thailand’s push for electric mobility and climate legislation. (Photo: iStock)
Bangkok authorities have announced stricter exhaust-smoke limits for diesel vehicles effective Nov. 1, as part of Thailand’s broader push toward electric mobility and its first Climate Change Act.
The new rule targets older diesel engines, particularly those predating Euro 5 standards, and lowers the permissible opacity of exhaust emissions from 30 percent to 20 percent. Offenders face fines of up to THB 4,000 (about USD 123）, while vehicles that fail to comply after re-inspection will be barred from use for 30 days.
Thailand strengthens EV industry with incentives and export push
Thailand is the largest EV market in Southeast Asia, and the sector continues to expand rapidly. In the first seven months of 2025, EV registrations reached 66,000 units, nearly matching the full-year total of 67,000 units in 2024. The government has set an ambitious goal for 30% of vehicle production to be zero-emission by 2030, equivalent to more than 700,000 units annually at current volumes.
To boost adoption, the government offers a range of incentives, including excise tax reductions, import duty exemptions, and cash subsidies under its EV3.0 and EV3.5 programmes, phased schemes that reward both EV buyers and automakers committed to local production. The latest phase, EV3.5, extends support through 2027.
On the industry side, Thailand aims to position itself as a regional hub for EV manufacturing. To qualify for incentives on imported battery electric vehicles (BEVs), automakers must commit to local assembly by 2024 or 2025. Battery manufacturers also receive direct support through the national competitiveness fund, which requires projects to meet performance thresholds of at least 150 Wh/kg in energy density and 1,000 charge cycles in durability testing.
To further encourage automakers to use Thailand as an export base rather than focus solely on domestic production, the government has introduced a new export-linked incentive that allows each exported EV counts as 1.5 units toward local production quotas, replacing the previous one-to-one rule. The policy is expected to boost exports from 12,500 units in 2025 to about 52,000 in 2026.
First Thai EV brand to debut in late 2025
Thailand is set to launch its first national electric vehicle (EV) brand in late 2025 through a strategic partnership between the Thai government and Chinese automaker Chery Automobile. The new brand will debut three fully electric models, each designed to serve distinct market segments, including a commercial MPV, an electric pickup truck, and a family SUV.
Chery Automobile, China’s fourth-largest automaker by sales, has partnered with the Thai government to co-develop Thailand’s first national EV brand. (Photo: Chery)
Local production will take place in Rayong Province, where Chery is building a manufacturing facility capable of producing 50,000 EVs annually by 2025, with plans to expand capacity to 80,000 units by 2028. The initiative also emphasizes local sourcing to strengthen Thailand’s EV supply chain, which remains heavily dependent on imported components.
Thailand’s first Climate Change Act nears approval
The stricter vehicle-emission standards and Thailand’s growing investment in electric mobility align with the country’s broader climate ambitions. The government is in the final stages of drafting its first Climate Change Act, which will establish a legal framework for greenhouse gas reduction, a national climate fund, and market mechanisms such as carbon trading and a potential carbon tax.
“The draft law is now in its final stage and will soon be presented to the Cabinet,” said Dr. Phirun Saiyasitpanich, Director-General of the Department of Climate Change and Environment, in an interview with The Nation. “This bill is crucial for Thailand’s response to climate change and will provide the necessary mechanisms to reduce emissions and support climate adaptation efforts across the country.”
The legislation underpins Thailand’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065.
Source: Eco-Business, Proliance, The Nation (1) (2)
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