EGAT promotes use of electric minibuses within organization, aiming to drive Thailand toward Carbon Neutrality
11 August 2023EGAT continues its commitment to environmental conservation by introducing 28 electric minibuses to replace diesel buses in Mae Moh District, Lampang Province. This initiative aims to reduce pollution and traffic issues while transforming Lampang Province into a low-carbon city, in line with the Carbon Neutrality policy.
On August 10, 2023, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) launched the electric minibuses in the event, “Charge EVs, Charge Our World with Clean Air,” chaired by Mr. Siriwat Bupphacharoen, Deputy Governor of Lampang Province. Mr. Boonyanit Wongrukmit, Governor of EGAT; EGAT executives; heads of Lampang provincial authority and Mae Moh district authority; Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA); Chiang Mai University; and community leaders also attended the event at EGAT Mae Moh in Mae Moh District, Lampang Province.
Mr. Siriwat Bupphacharoen, Deputy Governor of Lampang Province, said that Lampang Province has collaborated with EGAT Mae Moh, government and private agencies, and Mae Moh community to develop Mae Moh District into “Mae Moh Smart City.” This initiative aims to drive the development of the Mae Moh area toward a low-carbon economic city of Lampang Province, in line with the Carbon Neutrality policy and Thailand’s goal to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2065. The launch of electric minibuses shows EGAT’s effort to promote the transition from conventional fossil fuel vehicles to electric-powered vehicles, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions and traffic congestion in Lampang Province.
Mr. Boonyanit Wongrukmit, Governor of EGAT, stated that EGAT has a policy to support the use of electric minibuses in its areas. This initiative began at EGAT Headquarters, EGAT Learning Center, and especially EGAT Mae Moh where the total of 28 minibuses, considered the highest number, have been introduced. The project is carried out by INNOPOWER Co., Ltd., a company of EGAT Group. This effort contributes to promoting the country’s Carbon Neutrality policy and supporting the development of Mae Moh District and Lampang Province to become a low-carbon economic city, making them livable places for everyone. Replacing conventional diesel buses with electric buses helps reduce pollution and fine particulate matter emitted with exhaust gas. It also enhances mobility as the size of the vehicles is smaller. In terms of fuel cost, electric minibuses have an average energy consumption of 0.6 kWh per kilometer, or costing around 2.90 baht per kilometer. In comparison, conventional fuel-powered vehicles have a fuel cost of approximately 8 baht per kilometer. Moreover, EGAT has supported the use of EVs within the organization for a period of time. For instance, all vehicles of executives have been replaced with electric cars. In the future, there are plans to increase the number of electric cars used within the organization.
EGAT continues to support the development of infrastructure to facilitate the use of electric vehicles (EV Ecosystem) on a national scale. This is achieved through operational initiatives and partnerships with various organizations, such as the installation of EleX by EGAT charging stations nationwide with the aim to reach a total of 180 stations by the end of 2023, the development of the EleXA application for EV users, and the implementation of the BackEN management system for organizations and businesses. Furthermore, EGAT is actively taking part in the nationwide campaigns, aiming to make the country fully prepared for the transition to electric vehicles to create an environmentally-friendly transportation system and pave the way toward Carbon Neutrality in the near future.