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Thailand weighs higher EV import taxes to support local industry
Nation, 9 October '26Headlines 9 October '26
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Thailand's Cabinet has acknowledged a proposal to revise vehicle excise taxes.
Under the proposal, certain imported vehicles would be subject to the highest tax rates, while domestically manufactured vehicles could qualify for lower rates based on investment and the use of locally produced components. The proposed changes aim to encourage vehicle manufacturers to establish or expand production facilities in Thailand, increase domestic sourcing and support the production of environmentally friendly vehicles.
According to a Government House report, the proposals follow a resolution adopted by the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee, known as the EV Board, on September 10th, 2026. The Excise Department has been tasked with reviewing the proposed tax structure before submitting detailed measures to the Cabinet for approval.
EV imports and domestic production
Thailand has introduced measures to support electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, adoption and component production, including the EV3 and EV3.5 incentive programmes.
Other measures provide reduced excise tax rates for domestically manufactured hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) with no more than 10 seats. The increase in EV sales has raised concerns about Thailand's reliance on imported vehicles.
According to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 30.88% of domestic car sales between January and July 2026. Imported vehicles represented 63% of BEV sales, even after the import periods under the EV3 and EV3.5 programmes had ended.
The report stated that Thailand's EV manufacturing industry remains at an early stage of development, with domestic production costs higher than those of imported vehicles. This cost difference affects the competitiveness of manufacturers operating in Thailand. The Excise Department has proposed a revised vehicle excise tax structure to encourage domestic production, attract long-term investment and develop the country's automotive industry.
Three objectives of the proposed tax reform
The proposed framework identifies three objectives for Thailand's automotive and component industries:
- Investment-driven imports: Permit selected advanced vehicle models to be imported into Thailand for research, evaluation and testing. This would allow manufacturers to assess new technologies, develop manufacturing capabilities and potentially establish domestic production.
- Automotive production and exports: Expand manufacturing capacity and develop Thailand's role as a production and export centre for EVs and other environmentally friendly vehicles.
- Local content development: Encourage Thai manufacturers and suppliers to develop their capabilities, increase the use of locally sourced materials and manufacture more advanced automotive components. The policy also aims to increase employment opportunities for Thai workers and develop workforce skills related to next-generation automotive technologies.
Proposed excise tax categories
The proposed excise tax framework outlines three categories, with rates determined by import arrangements, domestic manufacturing activity and the use of locally produced components.
- Category 1 - Imported vehicles: Vehicles imported from overseas that cannot currently be manufactured in Thailand would be subject to the highest proposed excise tax rates, which would exceed existing levels. The proposed rates are intended to encourage manufacturers to establish production facilities in Thailand and increase domestic automotive supply chain activity.
- Category 2 - Imports by domestic manufacturers: Automakers operating factories in Thailand could import selected models to assess market demand, subject to import limits. The permitted number of vehicles would be determined by the economic value generated by each manufacturer in Thailand during the preceding year, including expenditure on locally produced automotive components and employment. Excise tax rates would be lower than those under Category 1.
- Category 3 - Locally manufactured energy-efficient vehicles: Vehicles manufactured in Thailand with a moderate level of local content, including low-volume premium models, would qualify for lower excise tax rates than vehicles in either import category. This category would cover vehicles whose manufacturers cannot yet use essential locally produced electronic components but could increase their use of Thai-made parts as domestic supply chains develop.
Under the proposal, certain imported vehicles would be subject to the highest tax rates, while domestically manufactured vehicles could qualify for lower rates based on investment and the use of locally produced components. The proposed changes aim to encourage vehicle manufacturers to establish or expand production facilities in Thailand, increase domestic sourcing and support the production of environmentally friendly vehicles.
According to a Government House report, the proposals follow a resolution adopted by the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee, known as the EV Board, on September 10th, 2026. The Excise Department has been tasked with reviewing the proposed tax structure before submitting detailed measures to the Cabinet for approval.
EV imports and domestic production
Thailand has introduced measures to support electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, adoption and component production, including the EV3 and EV3.5 incentive programmes.
Other measures provide reduced excise tax rates for domestically manufactured hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) with no more than 10 seats. The increase in EV sales has raised concerns about Thailand's reliance on imported vehicles.
According to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 30.88% of domestic car sales between January and July 2026. Imported vehicles represented 63% of BEV sales, even after the import periods under the EV3 and EV3.5 programmes had ended.
The report stated that Thailand's EV manufacturing industry remains at an early stage of development, with domestic production costs higher than those of imported vehicles. This cost difference affects the competitiveness of manufacturers operating in Thailand. The Excise Department has proposed a revised vehicle excise tax structure to encourage domestic production, attract long-term investment and develop the country's automotive industry.
Three objectives of the proposed tax reform
The proposed framework identifies three objectives for Thailand's automotive and component industries:
- Investment-driven imports: Permit selected advanced vehicle models to be imported into Thailand for research, evaluation and testing. This would allow manufacturers to assess new technologies, develop manufacturing capabilities and potentially establish domestic production.
- Automotive production and exports: Expand manufacturing capacity and develop Thailand's role as a production and export centre for EVs and other environmentally friendly vehicles.
- Local content development: Encourage Thai manufacturers and suppliers to develop their capabilities, increase the use of locally sourced materials and manufacture more advanced automotive components. The policy also aims to increase employment opportunities for Thai workers and develop workforce skills related to next-generation automotive technologies.
Proposed excise tax categories
The proposed excise tax framework outlines three categories, with rates determined by import arrangements, domestic manufacturing activity and the use of locally produced components.
- Category 1 - Imported vehicles: Vehicles imported from overseas that cannot currently be manufactured in Thailand would be subject to the highest proposed excise tax rates, which would exceed existing levels. The proposed rates are intended to encourage manufacturers to establish production facilities in Thailand and increase domestic automotive supply chain activity.
- Category 2 - Imports by domestic manufacturers: Automakers operating factories in Thailand could import selected models to assess market demand, subject to import limits. The permitted number of vehicles would be determined by the economic value generated by each manufacturer in Thailand during the preceding year, including expenditure on locally produced automotive components and employment. Excise tax rates would be lower than those under Category 1.
- Category 3 - Locally manufactured energy-efficient vehicles: Vehicles manufactured in Thailand with a moderate level of local content, including low-volume premium models, would qualify for lower excise tax rates than vehicles in either import category. This category would cover vehicles whose manufacturers cannot yet use essential locally produced electronic components but could increase their use of Thai-made parts as domestic supply chains develop.