On April 27, 2024, the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT), along with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), and Bangkok Thonburi University organized the 3rd EVAT x EGAT Electric Motorcycle Conversion Contest for Business Opportunity on April 26-27, 2024.
This event was led by Mr. Krisda Utamote, President of EVAT, along with Mr. Somsak Prangthong, Director of Demand Side Management and Social Affairs Division of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT); and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duangrit Benjathikul Chairungruang, a Member of the House of Representatives (Representative of the President of Bangkok Thonburi University)
along with related partners and sponsors including 1. Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) 2. Grand Prix International Public Company Limited 3. BMW Thailand Co., Ltd. 4. Metropolitan Electricity Authority 5. Deco Green Energy Co., Ltd. 6. Life’s Moving Co., Ltd. 7. Nihon Denkei (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 8. Hexagon Metrology (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 9. Dewesoft (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 10. Innova-Pack Co., Ltd. 11. Chuayram Engineering Co., Ltd. which provided support and attended the event at Bangkok Thonburi University
There was a total of 43 teams competing in this contest, divided into 31 educational institution teams and 12 general public teams. The results of the educational institution group competition are as follows: the first prize goes to team S27 PTL EV from Phatthalung Technical College, receiving a trophy from the Prime Minister and prize money worth 100,000 baht from EVAT. First runner-up is team S15 CHARAWAN RACING 2024 from Phichit Technical College, receiving a prize money worth 50,000 baht and a trophy. And the second runner-up prize goes to Team S07 UTCC from Uthai Thani Community College, receiving a prize money worth 30,000 baht and a trophy.
As for the general public category, the first prize goes to Team G08 Central Region Engineers, receiving a trophy from the Prime Minister and a prize money worth 100,000 baht from EVAT . First runner-up, Team G03 Phraya Phichai EV Bike, received a prize money worth 50,000 baht and a trophy. And the second runner-up prize goes to Team G04-EV Singburi, receiving a prize money worth 30,000 baht and a trophy.
This year, there are also two special awards for innovation: the Battery Innovation Award and the Safety Innovation Award for Riding (Safety). The team that won the former was Team S23 ME Electric Bike from RMUTT, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, and the team that won the latter was Team S06 Lion Dynamic from Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Khon Kaen Campus, each receiving a prize worth 30,000 baht per team.
The field contest began on April 26, which was the first day of the competition. There were 3 main stations opened for vehicle testing: E1: technical inspection station, E2: insulation testing and UNR 136 inspection station, and E3: water testing station. There was also testing rounds on the first day to allow each team to test their motorcycles, as well as to provide the energy measuring meters to each team.
The riding contest around the contest field — a has a distance of approx.. 1 km per round — and in the competition on April 27, points were awarded by measuring the energy after 1 hour or when 1200 watts-hours had been used. All electric motorcycles entered in the contest must have weighed no less than 150 kg, including the rider’s weight.
Mr. Somsak Prangthong, EGAT Director of Demand Side Management and Social Affairs Division stated that EGAT has a mission to produce electricity to maintain national’s energy stability and to increase the country’s competitiveness through innovation for Thai people.
EGAT also sees the importance of utilizing clean electricity, promotes the reduction of air and environmental pollution, and supports the national carbon neutrality policy in 2050 according to government policy. We have been working to promote the use of electric vehicles and electric charging stations continuously since 2016.
Regarding the promotion of the use of electric motorcycles, EGAT has studied and developed advanced energy efficiency criteria for electric motorcycles, which has led to the Label Number 5 being given to electric motorcycles. For the Electric Motorcycle Conversion Contest for Business Opportunity project, EGAT has applied the knowledge gained to expand the results of EGAT’s own electric motorcycle conversion and expand the results of developing skills in conversion and maintenance foranyone who’re interested in this field.
In organizing this activity, EGAT is pleased and ready to support since we also see a good opportunity to be a part of the driving force to support students’ learning experiences, as well as the general public to present their engineering and safety skills in the conversion of electric vehicles and to further develop electric vehicle technology in the future.
“We also aim to create, a business model for the electric vehicle industry within the country, which contributes to the development of the circular economy and the BCG business model that will help develop the electric vehicle industry sustainably,” he said.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duangrit Benjathikul Chairungruang, a Member of the House of Representatives and Representative of the President of Bangkok Thonburi University, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host the 3rd EVAT x EGAT Electric Motorcycle Conversion Contest for Business Opportunity to jointly produce and develop manpower competency for electric vehicle industry.
This plays an important role in helping drive the development of related technology for sustainable development in the electric vehicle industry in Thailand to grow strongly and steadily, which is in line with the policy of the university to promote and develop cooperation with the public and private sectors related to the development of technological advancements, including new innovations, new opportunities for knowledge development for personnel, as well as new application of technology for the future development of society and the nation.
It is also a response to the policy of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation for the electric vehicle industry. Organizing this event is very important for the development of skills, academics, and the readiness of human resources to support the growth of the electric vehicle industry.
It also helps push Thailand towards becoming a global production base for electric vehicles and key components.
“Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has taken part in raising awareness among students, staff, and the public about the role of electric vehicles that do not emit exhaust / greenhouse gases, pollution, dust and noise. Therefore, they do not cause any negative impact on humans and are environmentally friendly, which is an important factor in moving towards a low carbon society. This is the main goal of Thailand and other countries around the world,” he said.
Mr. Krisda Utamote, President of EVAT, said that as Thailand has a goal of moving towards Carbon Neutrality, the transportation sector will play another important part. The government has therefore accelerated the policy to support the use of electric vehicles according to the 30@30 policy, which aims to produce vehicles that emit zero emissions (Zero Emission Vehicle: ZEV) to make up at least 30 percent of all vehicle production within the country within 2030.
Today, the important role of the association is to help develop the country into a sustainable low-carbon society with clean energy vehicles, with directors and members of the association joining to work in various areas related to electric vehicles to jointly develop the industry to grow steadily and sustainably. This activity was originated from the committee’s idea to promote and to support the conversion of motorcycles that use fossil fuels into electric ones, which not only emit no pollution and are environmentally friendly, but also help reduce fuel use.
“This activity is therefore one of the measures that will help Thailand increase the use of electric vehicles and achieve the goals set by the government. It is also a platform that allows students and the public to present ideas and innovations in the development of electric motorcycle conversion to promote and drive potential development, as well as producing personnel with knowledge and expertise in electric vehicles for the automotive industry that is currently transitioning to modern technology. This is in line with the Thai government’s goal of making the country a production hub of electric vehicles for the world market,” he said.
About the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT)
The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand is a non-profit association. The guidelines of the association aim to promote and support the exchange of academic knowledge in technology and innovation of all types of electric vehicles including advising on regulations, standards, and operations in the development of electric vehicle technology in Thailand. At present, the association has Ms. Krisda Utamote acting as the president.
The association has members from the private sector, educational institutions, state enterprises, and the public, totaling more than 390 members. It has scheduled meetings every month and is divided into working groups in various areas to support and promote the Thai electric vehicle industry to grow steadily and sustainably. Follow the news of the association at www.evat.or.th
