Pattaya aims to replace its Corolla taxis with little Chinese EVs in 2022

Thailand is spearheading its electric vehicle (EV) initiative to not just car companies but municipalities too. Soon, your next trip to the coastal city of Pattaya might see you travelling around in an EV.

The Pattaya City Municipality is preparing to purchase EVs for its public transport system under its Neo Pattaya project. The project aims to turn the popular tourist hotspot into an economy hub in the eastern part of the Kingdom while conserving its natural environment.

According to city mayor, Sonthaya Khunpluem, the EVs will help reduce pollution from petrol combustion, leading to a “Green City”. The public transport EVs which include songthaew minibuses and taxis will begin testing on the resort island of Koh Lan where it will be promoted through ecotourism.

Also read: Thailand to produce EV taxi, prototype ready by end of 2021

The pilot project will involve around 10-20 EVs and will begin in early 2022. The selected EVs were tested by the mayor in Rayong and from the photos, they appear to be Chinese-made small micro EVs.

The pick-up truck resembles that of a Kaiyun truck which is sold in America as a Pickman. The truck is rear-wheel-driven and built on a ladder-frame chassis much like a traditional 4x2 truck. However, it isn’t fast with its single electric motor making just a tad over 7 PS.

We’re unsure about what the yellow EV is but it too appears to be some cheap Chinese electric microvan. The SNC logo on it refers to SNC Former, a Thai-based company that specialises in making air conditioner parts for the automotive and residential sectors.

Also read: Someone received delivery of their 'Mini' EV X2, but it’s left-hand drive

So, will we see the ubiquitous Corolla taxicabs and Hilux songthaews be replaced by this pair of electric carts vehicles? Perhaps, if the project received positive response from the public but for now we’ll just have to wait and see.