EleX by EGAT opened at Ministry of Finance to promote EV use at government agencies
26 November 2021Ministry of Finance joined hands with EGAT to open EleX by EGAT, the first pilot project of commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging station installed at a government agency, promoting the transition to widespread electric vehicle adoption and driving Thailand towards carbon neutrality.
On November 25, 2021, Mr. Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Minister of Finance; Ms. Nantika Thangsupanich, Director General of the Department of Energy Business, on behalf of the Ministry of Energy; Mr. Boonyanit Wongrukmit, Governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT); together with EGAT executives attended the opening ceremony of EleX by EGAT charging station – Ministry of Finance branch, at Ministry of Finance, Phayathai District, Bangkok.
The Minister of Finance revealed that as the air pollution problem becomes more severe these days, partly due to the use of petrol-fueled cars, the shift to electric vehicles is necessary to reduce the pollution from the transportation sector and mitigate climate change. The government has been supporting and promoting the use of EVs to not only solve the impacts of climate change and air pollution but also push Thailand to be a global EV and auto parts production base, contributing to the country’s economy and society. Ministry of Finance, in cooperation with EGAT, has installed and opened the EleX by EGAT in the area of the Ministry to provide the charging service for government vehicles and personal cars of government officers and visitors. This charging station is the first pilot project of EV charging station installed at a Thai government agency.
The Director General of the Department of Energy Business, on behalf of the Ministry of Energy said, as one of the urgent policies, the government requests all government agencies to procure EVs used in civil services to replace the expired petrol-powered ones and for the new procurement. Initially, this policy will be applied to agencies that are ready and necessary, especially government agencies in Bangkok. This cooperation is an important step to clean energy adoption of government agencies and will be a model for other government agencies. The EleX by EGAT at the Ministry of Finance comprises two units of 22 kV normal chargers; installed, inverted, and operated by EGAT throughout the service life.
EGAT has been assigned by the Ministry of Energy to carry out and support the development of electric power infrastructure, including EV ecosystem, in response to the rising adoption of EVs in the future. At present, EGAT, in collaboration with allies from various sectors, have developed and installed the “EleX by EGAT” charging station along the main roads and in-town areas, e.g., department stores, sports centers, and restaurants, totaling 15 stations nationwide. Moreover, EGAT is now on the way to introducing more charging stations to the transportation sector and others, with an aim to have 40 – 50 stations at the end of 2021 to early 2022. In 2022, EGAT will continue to expand the charging stations by taking the EV demand and supply into account. EGAT renders the support for EV transition and increasing EV adoption in daily life to boost the new economy through EV industry, move the country towards carbon neutrality, and create clean air for Thais.