DOEB, EECO, and EGAT to accelerate EV ecosystem, developing EleX by EGAT Eco Charging Sphere in EEC
DOEB, EECO, and EGAT signed an MOU to develop the model of EleX by EGAT Eco Charging Sphere to promote the EV deployment in the EEC and strengthen the EV ecosystem of Thailand.
On April 1, 2024, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) organized a signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the development of the model of EleX by EGAT Eco Charging Sphere to enhance the EV transition in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). On this occasion, Mr. Sarawut Kaewtathip, Director General of Department of Energy Business (DOEB), Ministry of Energy; Mr. Chula Sukmanop, Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO); and Mr. Thepparat Theppitak, EGAT Governor, signed the MOU at the Auditorium, EGAT 50th Anniversary Building, EGAT Headquarters, Nonthaburi Province.
Mr. Sarawut Kaewtathip, DOEB Director General, said that the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee has set the goal to transform the whole automotive industry into the EV industry, aiming for Thailand to become a global hub for manufacturing EVs and EV parts. The development of infrastructure and ecosystem, such as charging stations that meet the user demand, is required to achieve the goal. This collaboration will develop a part of DOEB’s office in the EEC into a model charging station to facilitate the EV users and become a learning source of the Ministry of Energy, the youth, and the public, as well.
Mr. Chula Sukmanop, EECO Secretary-General, said that this cooperation is a vital step to promote standards and elevate the development of EV charging stations in the EEC. This will also stimulate investments in EVs and related industries, such as clean energy and smart electronics. Especially, the development within the Eastern Economic Corridor of Digital (EECd) aims to become the hub of digital business development and has the potential to support research and development investments. The EECd serves as a showroom for Thai innovations and a gateway to other special economic zones. The collaboration marks a significant milestone for the growth of the country’s targeted industries, supporting the development of eco-friendly clean energy infrastructure and boosting the investment for sustainability in the EEC.
Mr. Thepparat Theppitak, EGAT Governor, said that EGAT has provided the service of the EleX by EGAT and EleXA charging stations since 2021 under the “EGAT EV Business Solutions” to create confidence for the business sector and EV users. Currently, there are almost 200 charging stations nationwide. With high efficiency and stability, it results in a continuous increase of EV users every year. This MOU signing is considered an important step of EleX by EGAT to be a part of strengthening the EV ecosystem for the country under the collaboration of allies to develop the EleX by EGAT Eco Charging Sphere, another vital step for the country’s development in the future.
Under this collaboration, the three partners will jointly develop the EleX by EGAT Eco Charging Sphere in the EECd, with an area of five rai in Si Racha District, Chonburi Province, to be the model of fast-charging station with facilities such as restaurant, coffee shop, and rest area. Powered by rooftop solar energy, the buildings in the area will be energy-saving and designed in line with the Thai’s Rating of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (TREE) and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) under Green Energy concept, to support the EV transition in the EEC and respond to the demand of the local EV users and those travelling to the Eastern region. The EleX by EGAT Eco Charging Sphere is expected to be open within 2025 with the data collection on user’s opinions and needs to improve the operation in the future.