Chinese sport utility vehicle manufacturer Great Wall Motor (GWM) is co-building new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at "lifestyle areas" as it launches co-branded chargers with PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc.
The two companies said lifestyle areas will be their main charging locations, referring to shopping malls, community malls and hotel chains, as people go to these areas to shop, dine, and conduct business.
GWM plans to have two pilot stations by the end of this year, offering EV drivers 120-kilowatt direct current chargers dubbed "EV Station Pluz".
Narong Sritalayon, managing director of Great Wall Motor (Thailand), said EV Station Pluz is a charging facility that would help the Thai government move towards its goal of an EV ecosystem.
GWM aims to expand its total EV charging stations, including those in collaboration with business partners, to 55 this year.
The move will help alleviate concerns among motorists who are worried that charging facilities are not widely available.
"This reflects GWM's commitment to contributing to the growth of the EV industry while transforming Thailand to become the central hub for EVs in Asean," said Mr Narong at the recent memorandum of understanding ceremony on the co-development of EV Station Pluz.
Last March the National EV Policy Committee announced it wanted EVs to constitute 50% of locally made vehicles by 2030, part of an ambitious plan to make Thailand a regional EV production centre.
GWM is developing its EV business after announcing it would spend 22.6 billion baht to turn Thailand into its regional base for the EV industry.
PTT Oil and Retail Business is also focusing on the development of EV charging facilities inside and outside its petrol stations, following its move to diversify into businesses involving lifestyle products and services.
"We are determined to promote the widespread use of electric-powered transportation throughout the nation and continue developing a full-range EV business to become a future EV ecosystem leader," said Suchat Ramarch, president of PTT Oil and Retail Business.
