Taxi drivers throughout Thailand, represented by the Thai Public Taxi Association, are petitioning the country’s transport minister for a financial incentive package to facilitate their swap to electric automobiles (EVs). Association Chairman, Sadit Jaitiang, plans to deliver up this key concern throughout a vital assembly slated for next Friday with Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. The meeting is predicted to handle a range of points impacting taxi drivers’ welfare.
Adopting electrical automobiles by the taxi trade would considerably lower carbon emissions and dirt pollution in Thailand’s capital, based on Sadit. To incentivise this transition, the association is looking for tax reductions and subsidies, together with a sizeable 300,000 baht per unit subsidy for EVs.
Sadit expressed concern over the monetary strain taxi drivers are underneath, following the significant loss of business during the Covid-19 pandemic. He believes the transition to EVs with out the proposed incentives would pose an additional financial burden on drivers who’re already struggling to get well, reported Bangkok Post.
He disclosed that approximately 20,000 taxi cabs are nearing the tip of their 12-year operational lifespan and can quickly require substitute. Template advised that these replacements should ideally be electric taxis, with an preliminary want for about 10,000 units.
The Thai Public Taxi Association has demonstrated a choice for 90- and 120-kilowatt fashions. It has also beneficial that the SME Development Bank provide low-interest loans to taxi drivers for the purchase of those electric vehicles.
Other matters that will be tabled through the assembly with the minister embody the establishment of a committee to evaluate new fare rates and a roadmap for taxi driver registration with ride-hailing apps.
Sadit also revealed that although the development of a parking lot for taxis at Suvarnabhumi Airport was approved in 2019, the challenge is but to commence. The association plans to request the set up of a roof at the taxi ready space on the airport..