Thailand will expand its incentive program to promote the adoption of electric trucks and buses and the local production of electric vehicle (EV) battery cells, aiming to strengthen its status as a regional EV manufacturing hub, according to the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee on Wednesday. The committee approved on the day special tax deduction for businesses to switch their fleets of large trucks and buses to battery electric vehicles and grants for manufacturers to locally produce EV battery cells. The approved measures, covering large commercial vehicles, will expand earlier sets of measures focused on the passenger car to all segments of EVs, committee secretary Narit Therdsteerasukdi said in a statement. This is expected to significantly help increase the adoption of EV trucks and buses, reduce pollution in the transportation sector, and support companies' moves toward their net-zero emissions target, Narit said. "The measures to promote investment in the production of battery cells, a key element of the supply chain, will help ensure the sustainability and resilience of our EV ecosystem," he added. Thailand ranks as a top auto manufacturer in Southeast Asia and among the top 10 in the world for total auto exports, thanks to the government's support for EVs. The Thai government plans for battery EVs to account for 30 percent of the Southeast Asian country's total auto production by 2030, with an annual production capacity estimated at 725,000 units. Source: Xinhua 云上东博会登录 扫描下方二维码 登录