Project aims to unify EV charging bases

An EV charging station operated by Egat, which is joining the project. Thailand is moving to unify its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, with the Energy Policy and Planning Office (Eppo) spearheading a nationwide effort to bring charging station operators under a single standard, simplifying services for motorists.The initiative also aims to improve efficiency for power suppliers, according to Eppo. The office joined forces with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), and PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR) to study the feasibility of creating a "Thailand EV Roaming Hub". The hub would serve as a central platform for connecting data across charging networks, ensuring seamless integration and standardised services. Wattanapong Kurovat, director-general of Eppo, said a memorandum of understanding was signed to link charging stations and establish a unified system. With OR, Egat and PEA already ranking among Thailand's top five EV charging providers, the project has strong backing from major players in the sector. The plan includes building a national database to manage information on charging station locations, infrastructure details and real-time operational status. This dataset will allow government agencies to forecast electricity demand more accurately, helping the state grid avoid overloads in high-demand areas, he noted. The ultimate goal is more reliable fast-charging services for motorists, said Mr Wattanapong. The push for standardisation comes as EV drivers face recurring problems, such as EV charging management apps crashing or going offline, failed payment transactions, inaccurate station availability updates, mismatched pricing information and map coordinates leading to incorrect locations. Drivers also complain about having to download separate apps for different charging providers, adding unnecessary complexity. By introducing standardised EV data, the hub strategy aims to eliminate these problems. Once fully implemented, motorists will be able to use a single app to locate stations, check availability and pay for charging services across multiple networks, he said, which should make interprovincial travel more practical, reducing downtime and lifting confidence among EV owners. More charging providers are expected to join the network over time, expanding coverage and convenience, noted Eppo. Officials expect the hub will not only enhance the user experience, but also strengthen Thailand's transition towards cleaner, more sustainable transport.