Thailand has developed its first electric locomotive, in line with the Government’s policy of promoting the production and use of electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said that the development of Thailand’s first homegrown battery-powered electric locomotive had been completed in 2022. The project was carried out jointly by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, and Energy Absolute (EA) Public Company.

The testing of the prototype electric locomotive took place in January 2023, when the train began to run on various routes, as well as pulling carriages along tracks at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, formerly Bang Sue Grand Station, in Bangkok. The testing phase was successful and received a positive response.

The battery-powered train was designed and produced, with the innovation of an ultra-fast charge system that can charge within an hour in the first stage, and it can change batteries in a battery swapping station in not more than 10 minutes. With this modern technology, it can reduce energy costs by between 40 and 60 percent, when compared with a diesel-powered train.

A charging station has been set up in the Bang Sue area. More charging stations will be established in other areas, as well, in order to provide services to more electric locomotives that will be put into service.

Mr. Anucha said that SRT is in the process of procuring 50 electric locomotives, which will gradually be put into service in 2023. This will help promote the use of eco-friendly train services among the people for sustainable energy and environmental development.

He said that the Government has been striving to boost the use of EVs to reduce pollution, in line with Thailand’s national development under the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model. 

Thailand intends to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20-25 percent by the end of 2030 and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065. The use of electric locomotives to replace fossil-fuel trains will also contribute to Thailand’s efforts to become a major EV production base in ASEAN.