Thailand is moving to cement its position as a major electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub, with the government introducing new incentives to boost exports.

The revised policy, which allows each EV produced for export to count as 1.5 units toward local production quotas, is expected to drive a massive increase in shipments.

According to the Board of Investment (BOI), the new rule could see EV exports from Thailand soar from 12,500 units in 2025 to 52,000 units by 2026.

The move comes as BYD, the Chinese EV giant, became the first company to benefit from the government's EV 3.0 scheme by exporting a batch of 959 left-hand-drive Dolphin models to Europe.

The new export incentive, approved by the EV Board, is a key part of the government's strategy to encourage manufacturers to use Thailand as a global export base. It amends the EV 3.0 and EV 3.5 schemes, which previously required companies to produce one vehicle locally for every one imported to receive tax breaks and subsidies.

The new 1.5-to-1 ratio for exports, effective from 2025, is a direct response to proposals from the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT).

Other foreign manufacturers, including MG, GWM, GAC Aion, and Changan, have also invested heavily in local production.

The FTI reported that the sector has created over 9,600 jobs, with 85-95% of the workforce being Thai. BYD alone employs over 5,900 people, with plans to increase its Thai workforce to 95% of its total staff by 2026.