Tesla IncTesla's interest in EV 3.5 scheme may lead to adjusted criteria favoring local parts usage, potentially increasing its market access and sales in Thailand.

Deputy Transport Minister Siriphong Angkasakulkiat is preparing to propose that the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee, or EV board, adjust the conditions of the second-phase electric vehicle support scheme, known as EV 3.5, after Tesla expressed interest in joining the scheme but was held back by the requirement to have a manufacturing plant in Thailand. Currently, Tesla has factories in the United States, China, and Germany, and has no plans to open a plant in Thailand. However, its factory in China imports parts and components from Thailand worth several billion baht a year, a figure expected to grow to tens of billions of baht annually in the near future. Mr Siriphong has therefore asked Tesla to prepare details on the value of its use of Thai-made parts, to present to the EV board for consideration of adding a condition on local parts usage in place of setting up a factory. The board may set a tiered requirement for parts usage value linked to discount rates, which would help increase opportunities for Thailand's auto parts industry and encourage foreign factories to buy more Thai-made parts.
Tesla IncTesla's interest in EV 3.5 scheme may lead to adjusted criteria favoring local parts usage, potentially increasing its market access and sales in Thailand.