Electric Vehicle (EV) Transition in Thailand: Is it Beneficial?

The adoption of electric vehicles (EV) is effectively a problem of socio-technical transitions and comes with its complexities. The Thai Energy Efficiency Development Plan includes the adoption of EV as a voluntary measure to increase the energy effectiveness of its transport sector and to mitigate GHG emissions. But, there are other important social, technological, economic and policy factors which need to be thoroughly investigated before the EV transition is attempted in Thailand, since the environmental cost may outweigh the benefits of the EV transition. The methodology used is based on systems thinking and called Causal Loop Diagrams (CLD). In CLD, the factors underpinning the benefits accruing from the EV transition in Thailand are characterized as causal relationships and feedback loops. Preliminary CLD investigation into the factors for EVs show the technological factor EV efficiency levels and their cost (economic factor) are important in determining the GHG reduction benefit, along with the grid emission factor.