The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is set to replace its natural gas-powered (NGV) buses with electric-powered (EV) air-conditioned buses, starting with a first batch of 500 EV buses scheduled for delivery this year.
BMTA Director Mr. Kittikan Chomdoung Charuworapolkul shared updates on the agency’s plan to transition to electric buses as part of its commitment to cleaner energy. This revised initiative has been submitted to the Ministry of Transport, and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is currently compiling details before forwarding it to the Cabinet Secretariat.
Mr. Kittikan emphasized that the revision aims to clarify the rationale for the shift to EVs while maintaining the original budget and project scope. The first phase involves leasing 1,520 electric buses under a seven-year contract (2025–2032) through e-bidding, with a total budget of 15.3 billion baht.
Although the original plan was to present the project to the cabinet early last month, delays in the review process have postponed the timeline. Nonetheless, Mr. Kittikan confirmed that the BMTA will receive the initial 500 EV buses this year, with the remaining units expected next year.
In an effort to modernize its fleet, the BMTA plans to retire 60% of its combustion-engine buses—approximately 2,300 units—by 2029. The shift to EVs is anticipated to significantly reduce fuel and maintenance costs, as EV buses are three times cheaper to operate than their combustion-engine counterparts.
Currently, the BMTA operates a fleet of 2,884 buses, which includes 1,520 non-air-conditioned buses and 1,364 air-conditioned buses. Additionally, the agency is optimizing its existing bus routes and schedules to better align with passenger demand and further decrease fuel consumption.
