Chinese electric vehicle distributor EV Primus and defence and security technology firm RV Connex have teamed up to operate a 10-billion-baht power bank project to sell batteries to the growing EV market.
The companies expect the commercial launch of two sizes of batteries next year, said Sujate Jantarang, RV Connex's vice-president for research and development.
"We aim to produce batteries that can serve all types of EVs in Thailand, with the first ones serving city cars under the Volt brand," said Mr Sujate.
Volt, manufactured by China's second-largest automaker DFSK, is being sold in Thailand by EV Primus.
RV Connex plans to produce 4-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion batteries for mini-EVs and 7kWh batteries for larger cars.
Battery prices will start at 50,000 baht because Thailand needs to import lithium to produce them, he said.
A 4kWh battery, which weighs around 20 kilogrammes, can be charged at home in one hour and 50 minutes, said Mr Sujate. One charge allows a mini-EV to travel 50 kilometres.
RV Connex is in the process of developing a larger battery. Its battery production facility is set to be located in Pathum Thani province.
Pitaya Tanadamrongsak, managing director of EV Primus, which imports multiple EV brands for sale in Thailand, said he expects the power bank project to accelerate growth of the domestic EV industry and reduce drivers' concerns over the availability of charging facilities.
"We expect to produce 4,000 batteries for Volt cars by 2030 and will increase the volume as sales grow," he said.
EV Primus plans to market batteries both in Thailand and overseas. The company set an EV sales target of 3,000-4,000 units this year.
Mr Pitaya said he believes total EV sales in Thailand will reach 30,000-40,000 units next year. At the Thailand International Motor Expo this month, he expects EV Primus will receive bookings for 200-250 EVs.
