Thailand Cabinet approves higher excise tax rates on imported EVs, effective 1 January 2027

The Thai Cabinet has approved an increase in the excise tax to 35% for certain imported electric vehicles (EVs) to encourage investment in local EV production and establish Thailand as an EV manufacturing and export hub.  

Under the revised structure that will take effect from 1 January 2027, the excise tax on imported battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will rise from 10% to 35%, while the rate for imported range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) will increase from 15% to 35%.

To ensure that these efforts successfully achieve the goal of developing a new economic growth engine for Thailand, the Excise Department will study short-term transition-support measures aimed at attracting new investment into the automotive and auto parts industry.  The Cabinet has also instructed the Excise Department to negotiate preferential tax rates for EV manufacturers considering new manufacturing investments in Thailand.