Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Signs Agreement of Joint Testing for Popularization of Electric Vehicles

MMC has agreed with the government of Thailand on December 2010 to start a joint study for fleet testing of electric cars. Based on the new agreements made this time, through two local electric companies, MMC will start specific testing for the popularization of electric vehicles in Thailand, such as researching its’ acceptability, marketability, as well as its’ charging infrastructure. The power supply structure in Thailand is divided into generating, transmitting, and distributing whereas both MEA and PEA ENCOM are responsible for the distributing process.

MMC President Osamu Masuko celebrated the move and said "This joint testing with two of Thailand’s power companies is a big step for MMC and MMTh to promote the popularization of EVs in Thailand. With our partners, we would like not only to evaluate the EVs’ functionality, but also verify its role in future communities that will employ ‘Smart Grid’ technology."

After its launch in Japan, the i-MiEV has been sequentially rolled out internationally to Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, 19 countries throughout Europe, among others, and also is planned for rollout in the United States and Canada this fall. In addition, MMC is in cooperation with numerous governments in their electric car popularization initiatives, including the Principality of Monaco, Iceland, Denmark, Singapore.

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) is a state-owned utility. The MEA is responsible to acquire and supply the electric energy in the areas of Bangkok Metropolis, Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi provinces and to carry out the business related to electric energy. The mission is to become a high performance organization with service excellent while laying emphasis on sustainable growth of related business as well as responsibility for the society and the environment.

PEA ENCOM International Co., Ltd. or PEA ENCOM, the subsidiary of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) was established as a state enterprise for the purpose of engaging in domestic and international business related to power energy investment. A mission is to develop renewable energy with sustainability in order to achieve sufficient revenues to facilitate further development which complies with the Thai Government Policy for the promotion of rational use of renewable energy. PEA ENCOM which has a full option of the capital, expertise staff and energy-related technologies sets up four business units to drive the above mission to meet its ultimate goal. These are Renewable Energy Business, Energy Saving Business, Engineering and Training Business and International Venture Business.

www.mea.or.th

www.pea.co.th