The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) plans to lease 1,520 electric vehicles (EVs) over seven years under a THB 14.9 billion (US$ 455 million) contract with Nakhonchai Air as part of its transition to electric buses.

Delivery of the air-conditioned electric bus fleet will take place in three batches between March and May 2027. The first 500 buses are scheduled for delivery in late March 2027, followed by another 500 in April and the remaining 520 in May, according to BMTA director Kittikan Chomdoung Charuworapolkul.

''A committee inspecting the vehicles has already visited assembly plants and component factories to ensure compliance with contract specifications,'' Kittikan said. ''A dedicated supervision panel has also been established to track production, manage delivery phases and mitigate potential risks that could cause project delays.''

The State Railway Workers Union of the BMTA supports the transition to EVs, citing lower fuel and maintenance costs for low-income commuters, but has raised concerns about the agency's reliance on leased bus depots.

The BMTA currently owns five depots, while most facilities operate under short-term lease agreements. Union president Pramit Mekchay said investment in electrical grids and charging stations on leased land could become a financial liability if the leases are not renewed.

He urged the government and the BMTA to secure permanent ownership of depot land to protect long-term infrastructure investments and prevent rental expenses from offsetting fuel savings.

The BMTA is preparing 12 bus depots to accommodate charging systems and fleet management, with preparation of nine locations being accelerated to support the initial delivery of electric buses in 2027.