Bangkok: The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has embarked on an ambitious project titled "EV for the Future," investing 20 million baht from the Cooperative Development Fund to facilitate service cooperatives in purchasing electric vehicles. This initiative is specifically aimed at providing low-interest loans to cooperative members, starting with a pilot program involving 20 electric taxis from Suvarnabhumi Taxi Cooperative Limited. The project aims to reduce operating costs, boost income, and promote the transition to clean energy within the transportation sector.
According to Thai News Agency, the launch was presided over by Ms. Piyarat Tiyapairat, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, alongside Mr. Nirun Multhida, Director-General of the Department of Cooperative Promotion. Ms. Piyarat highlighted the initiative as a significant stride in upgrading public transportation. The project is designed to lower fuel expenses, enhance income, and ensure job security for cooperative members. It aligns with government policies focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging clean energy solutions. The Ministry views the Cooperative Development Fund as a pivotal tool to aid cooperatives and their members in accessing affordable financing for business advancement and improved quality of life.
The Department of Cooperative Promotion has allocated 20 million baht to ensure service cooperatives have access to low-interest loans for electric vehicle purchases. This funding is meant to alleviate costs and facilitate more accessible funding avenues for businesses within the cooperative sector. Taxi cooperatives like Suvarnabhumi Taxi Cooperative Limited are among the service cooperatives eligible for the project, receiving support from the Cooperative Development Fund alongside other transportation service cooperatives.
Mr. Nirun Multhida emphasized the "EV for the Future" project as a strategic adjustment of the Cooperative Development Fund in line with governmental policies promoting electric vehicle use, greenhouse gas reduction, and the green economy. The project is designed to support various transportation service cooperatives, including those operating taxis, vans, buses, tricycles, and small four-wheel vehicles, in transitioning to electric vehicles for sustainable livelihoods.
For the Suvarnabhumi Taxi Cooperative Limited, the Department approved a revolving fund of 4 million baht to aid 20 members in acquiring electric taxis. Additionally, 2.5 million baht was allocated to the Bo Thong Taxi Cooperative Limited in Chonburi Province. The initiative is being expanded to other service cooperatives nationwide, with revised lending criteria to enhance flexibility and ease of access to funding. This acceleration in transitioning from gasoline-powered to electric vehicles is intended to replace aging taxis nearing the end of their service life.