Thailand’s electric vehicle board has agreed to raise excise tax on fully imported EVs to encourage domestic auto manufacturing, with new rates expected to be decided by the end of September.
Thailand’s electric vehicle board has agreed to raise excise tax on fully imported electric vehicles (CBUs) to encourage investment in domestic auto manufacturing, a Finance Ministry official said on 10 September 2026.
Fully imported vehicles will face the highest tax rate, above the current 10% excise tax. Lower rates will apply to vehicles imported for testing and those imported for local assembly or production, while EVs manufactured in Thailand using local content will receive the lowest rate.
Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit said the new tax rate would be decided by the end of September. Automakers will also be given a grace period to adjust to the new tax regime, although its duration has yet to be determined.
Electric and hybrid vehicles accounted for 55% of new car registrations in the first seven months of 2026, according to the Board of Investment. Cumulative BOI approvals for the electric vehicle ecosystem reached USD 4.59 billion across 189 projects as of August 2026.
