Study Project on the Use of Electric Vehicles and Modified Electric Vehicles to Establish Consumer Protection Standards

Under the government's 30@30 policy, which aims to establish Thailand as a global electric vehicle (EV) production hub, the domestic EV market has experienced exponential growth. However, this rapid transition presents structural challenges in consumer protection for both New EVs and EV Conversions. Without timely and appropriate intervention, these issues could undermine consumer confidence and long-term industrial stability.

Based on data collected from EV users and focus group discussions, three interconnected challenges were identified: Safety & Lack of Standards, Legal & After-sales Ambiguity, and Economic Uncertainty.

To address these issues holistically, the following policy measures are proposed

1. Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB)

• Transparency in Advertising: Mandate manufacturers to disclose performance, safety specifications, usage limitations, and detailed warranty conditions based on reliable standards.

• Standardized Part Replacement & Recall: Establish clear criteria for replacing defective parts under warranty and implementing mandatory recalls for defects posing serious safety risks.

• Right to Repair: Implement measures ensuring owners can access repairs and spare parts at fair prices after the warranty period, preventing market monopolies and protecting independent repair businesses.

• Service Timelines: Define fair repair durations with clear compensation or remedy protocols if deadlines are not met.

• Lemon Law: Advocate for the enactment of a "Lemon Law" specifically for electric vehicles.

2. Ministry of Energy / ERC / DOEB

• Home Charger Standards: Establish a registration and certification system for EV charger installers to ensure safety, traceability, and prevent the use of unskilled labor.

• Meter Accuracy: Enforce regular inspection and certification of energy meters (kW, kWh) at charging stations to ensure billing accuracy.

• Unified Payment Platform: Accelerate the development of a central application for cross-network charging services and payments.

• Network Expansion: Expand charging infrastructure nationwide and maintain continuous public communication regarding station locations.

3. Dept. of Public Works and Town & Country Planning / DDPM

• Safety Buffers: Define safe parking distances at public charging stations to prevent fire spread and allow effective emergency response.

• Building Code Updates: Amend regulations for high-rise buildings and condominiums to require adequate EV charging infrastructure and designated parking ratios.

• Emergency Access: Ensure EV parking zones in buildings are easily accessible by emergency units for rapid evacuation and fire suppression.

• Fire Suppression Systems: Mandate automatic sprinklers and high-efficiency smoke detectors in EV parking areas within large buildings.

• Personnel Training: Provide specialized EV fire suppression training and annual drills for building staff and local firefighters.

4. Ministry of Public Health / DDPM

• Waste Management: Establish protocols for disposing of hazardous waste from EV fires, such as leaked electrolytes and chemical runoff from firefighting.

• Regulatory Review: Review or delist "EV Charging Stations" from the category of "Health-Hazardous Businesses" to reduce barriers to expansion, noting that high-voltage batteries differ from the definitions in current health proclamations.

5. Department of Land Transport (DLT)

• Special License Plates: Introduce unique license plates for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) to help first responders and the public immediately identify the vehicle type for safety.

• EV Conversion Standards: Define "Core Component Standards" and "Installation & Testing Standards" to ensure the performance and safety of converted EVs for registration.

• Streamlined Registration: Develop clear, transparent manuals and digital processes for EV conversion registration to reduce complexity and errors.

• VIC Upgrade: Elevate Private Inspection Centers (VICs/TRO) and standardize EV conversion inspection criteria nationwide.

6. Board of Investment (BOI)

• Circular Economy Incentives: Use tax measures to attract investment in EV battery recycling technologies.

• Technology Transfer: Make "Technology Transfer" a mandatory condition for investment privileges for foreign manufacturers, with rigorous monitoring.

• Local Content Support: Provide incentives for domestic SMEs to develop "Conversion Kits" and related components to strengthen the local supply chain.

7. Office of Insurance Commission (OIC)

• Insurance Availability: Review measures to prevent the mass rejection of EV insurance applications.

• SLA Standards: Establish Service Level Agreements (SLA) for repair durations based on damage levels, including compensation for delays.

8. Inter-Agency Collaboration (Dept. of Business Development, DSD, etc.)

• Certified Garage Standard: Promote the "Certified Garage" standard (TIS-S 221-2565) for EV conversion workshops.

• Warranty Mandate: Require certified garages to provide written warranties for installations and core components for use in registration and insurance.

• Financial Subsidies: Consider subsidies and tax benefits for EV conversion costs.

• Government Lead: Pilot EV conversions within government and public transport fleets to build public trust and reduce urban pollution.

• Workforce Development: Develop curricula and personnel to support the EV and EV conversion industries.

• Strategic Positioning: Position Thailand as a regional "EV Conversion Hub" to create economic opportunities and export potential.