Thailand is moving to increase excise taxes on imported electric vehicles (EVs) more than on locally produced models, according to reports. The plan would use excise taxes as the primary policy lever to steer automakers’ decisions on where to manufacture and source components.
Both outlets describe a proposed tiered excise-tax structure designed to reward companies that expand domestic production. The approach is intended to encourage manufacturers and suppliers to produce in Thailand and to increase their use of locally made parts, with tax outcomes tied to the level of local content and production activity.
While the reports agree on the core intent—using excise taxes to promote local manufacturing and supply chains—they focus on slightly different framing. NDTV emphasizes that the board plans to use excise taxes as the sole tool, while Free Malaysia Today highlights the existence of a three-tier structure for imported versus local EVs. The reports do not indicate the specific tax rates or the timeline for implementation.
