Thailand has become ground zero for the electrification of Southeast Asian port operations. In 2025, the Port Authority of Thailand reported that 46% of all new prime movers registered for port-related haulage within 300 km were battery-electric — almost all Chinese.
BYD’s T8TT 4×2 tractor with 450 kWh battery and 360 km real-world range has become the default choice for container movement between Laem Chabang and the Eastern Economic Corridor. Hutchison Ports Thailand took delivery of 110 units in the first half of 2025 alone.
SANY’s electric terminal tractor, launched locally in Q2 2025, has captured 60% of new yard tractor sales. The vehicle can perform 400+ container moves per day on a single charge using opportunity charging during driver breaks.
Local partner Sahachit Watana has established a 50 MW charging hub adjacent to the port with 200 DC fast chargers.
The Thai government’s EV 3.5 scheme offers subsidies of up to THB 800,000 per electric truck plus excise tax reduction to 2%. Combined with electricity at THB 2.5/kWh versus diesel at THB 34/litre, operators report payback periods of 2.5-3.5 years.
By the end of 2025, more than 1,200 Chinese electric trucks will operate in and around Thailand’s top three ports — a tenfold increase from 2023.
