BMTA replaces non-AC buses with 100% electric fleet

Matichon•Economy•2d ago

Reader Briefing

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority is replacing 1,520 non-air-conditioned buses with electric vehicles as part of a government policy to modernize public transport.

•The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority is leasing 1,520 electric buses with a budget of 14,905 million baht over 7 years.
•Delivery of the first 1,520 EV buses will occur in three lots between March and May 2027.
•The government plans to procure an additional 800 electric buses by December 2027 to achieve a 100% EV fleet by the end of 2028.
•New EV buses will feature Universal Design, low floors, and safety systems including CCTV and GPS Tracking.

Overview

•The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and Nakhonchai Air have inspected the Absolute Assembly factory in Chachoengsao to monitor EV bus production.
•Production of the electric buses began on September 2, 2026, with a production capacity of approximately 15 buses per day.
•The transition of all 1,520 non-air-conditioned buses to EV is estimated to save the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority approximately 4,100 million baht per year.
•The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority plans to develop 12 garages and charging stations, starting with 3 pilot locations.
•Pipat Ratchakitprakarn stated that the government is discussing measures with the Ministry of Finance to help low-income earners with the increased fare of 15-25 baht.
•The government aims for all Bangkok Mass Transit Authority buses in Bangkok and vicinity to be 100% EV by the end of 2028.
•The second phase of 800 EV buses, with a budget of approximately 8,400 million baht, has received budget allocation for year 2027.

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Key Quotes

Kittikan Jomduang Jaruworapolkul

"According to the delivery plan, the first lot of 500 buses will be delivered within March 2027."

ตามแผนการส่งมอบ รถโดยสารล็อตแรก จำนวน 500 คัน จะส่งมอบภายในเดือนมีนาคม 2570

Key Entities

Person

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

The Prime Minister whose government policy promotes electric vehicle use and public transport modernization.

Kittikan Jomduang Jaruworapolkul(กิตติกานต์ จอมดวง จารุวรพลกุล)

The Director of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority.

Wasu Klomkliang(วสุ กลมเกลี้ยง)

The Chairman of Next Point Public Company Limited.

Pipat Ratchakitprakarn(พิพัฒน์ รัชกิจประการ)ℹ️

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport.

Organization

Bangkok Mass Transit Authority(องค์การขนส่งมวลชนกรุงเทพ)ℹ️

The primary agency providing public bus services in Bangkok.

Absolute Assembly Company Limited(บริษัท แอ๊บโซลูท แอสเซมบลี จำกัด)

An EV bus assembly plant in Chachoengsao and a company within the Energy Absolute group.

Energy Absolute Public Company Limited(บริษัท พลังงานบริสุทธิ์ จำกัด (มหาชน))

The parent group of Absolute Assembly Company Limited.

Nakhonchai Air Company Limited(บริษัท นครชัยแอร์ จำกัด)

The contract partner of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority for the EV bus lease project.

Next Point Public Company Limited(บริษัท เน็กซ์ พอยท์ จำกัด (มหาชน))

The company assigned by Nakhonchai Air to assemble the electric buses.

Ministry of Transport(กระทรวงคมนาคม)ℹ️

The ministry driving the transition of Bangkok Mass Transit Authority buses to electric power.

Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️

The ministry the government is consulting with to design fare assistance measures for low-income earners.

Place

Chachoengsao Province(จังหวัดฉะเชิงเทรา)ℹ️

The location of the Absolute Assembly electric bus assembly plant.