Thailand may be unprepared to fully embrace electric trucks despite the growing popularity of battery-powered commercial vehicles, says UD Trucks (Thailand), a subsidiary of Japan's UD Trucks Corporation.
The company has expressed interest in applying electric mobility technology to its fleet, but acknowledged that several challenges remain.
Wilawan Vispapaew, managing director of UD Trucks (Thailand), said the country's long-haul logistics sector continues to rely heavily on diesel-powered freight.
Government fuel price subsidies, which cap pump prices to stabilise operating costs, further reinforce diesel's dominance.
"Battery electric vehicle technology represents the future, and we will conduct a feasibility study on BEV technology," she said, noting that fuel cells are also being explored as an alternative.
UD Trucks is collaborating with Japanese automaker Isuzu on a pilot project to develop next-generation, light-duty fuel cell trucks, aiming to bring them into production soon.
The company's Bangkok factory on Bang Na-Trat Road has an annual production capacity of 20,000 trucks, though current output is about 10,000 units for both domestic and export markets.
Thailand serves as an export hub, supplying trucks to more than 60 countries, including Japan, Asia and the Middle East.
Geopolitical tensions have disrupted operations. Earlier this year, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz prevented deliveries to customers in the region, a major market for UD Trucks.
Rising energy costs and shortages of auto parts also pressured operations, though the company maintained truck prices and controlled expenses, said Ms Wilawan.
Looking ahead, UD Trucks is conducting a feasibility study on leasing fleet trucks to corporate clients, responding to shifting customer behaviour as businesses seek to reduce upfront and maintenance costs.
The company aims to increase sales volume by 10% year-on-year in 2026, focusing on the agriculture and corporate sectors. Last year UD Trucks sold 1,300 units.
During the first quarter of 2026, UD Trucks expanded its market share in Thailand to 13%, underscoring its resilience amid industry challenges, Ms Wilawan noted.
