Amita Technology's Gigafactory: Thailand's Homegrown EV Battery Solution Boosting Domestic Demand and Global Ambitions
Amita Technology, a local Thai company and the first lithium-ion battery gigafactory in ASEAN, is committed to completing Thailand's electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem by developing battery manufacturing from upstream to downstream.
This aligns with the Thai government's policy of strengthening the EV industry and positioning the country as a key global hub for EVs. During a factory visit, CEO of Energy Absolute, Somphote Ahunai, stated that having the capability to produce lithium-ion batteries from cells is crucial for Thailand's leading position as an EV hub.
Although the company cannot smelt certain minerals as raw materials, it has developed a process for producing cells, which are the smallest and most important components of lithium-ion batteries.
A Thai factory currently produces 1 gigawatt hour per hour of batteries, supplying mainly local electric bus makers.
The factory aims to expand production to 4 gigawatts per hour by the end of 2025, with potential for further expansion based on market demand.
The company, Energy Absolute, also manufactures commercial electric vehicles such as buses, trucks, ferries, and locomotives.
Future plans include manufacturing an electric tugboat.
The battery and EV factories primarily serve domestic demand, but the company plans to stabilize its growth in Thailand before expanding to the international market.
Chatrapon Sripratum, Energy Absolute's vice president, believes that Thailand's increasing focus on the green economy will benefit the company's growth.
Batteries are a key component of this transition, serving as power sources for electric vehicles and contributing to the storage of electricity from renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydropower.
However, as battery demand rises, it's important to prepare for capacity expansion and continue research and development to improve battery and EV manufacturing technology.
Sripratum also suggests that the Thai government consider additional incentives to support businesses in this sector beyond the current BOI measures.
Energy Absolute is in talks with the Board of Investment (BOI) in Thailand to discuss ways to support the company's growth.
The BOI is currently holding a roadshow in China to attract leading battery cell manufacturers to invest in Thailand as part of the country's plan to establish itself as an electric vehicle manufacturing hub.
The roadshow, which started on April 7 in Guangdong and Fujian provinces, aims to explain the incentives available to battery cell manufacturers, including maximum 15-year tax exemptions on corporate and dividend taxes, import duty on machines, and import duty on materials for future export.
Battery manufacturers will receive significant tax incentives in Thailand.
They are eligible for a 90% reduction in import duty for materials used in production and a full import duty exemption for research materials.
Additionally, those with investment privileges will receive subsidies for investment, research, and personnel training.
Although the company cannot smelt certain minerals as raw materials, it has developed a process for producing cells, which are the smallest and most important components of lithium-ion batteries.
A Thai factory currently produces 1 gigawatt hour per hour of batteries, supplying mainly local electric bus makers.
The factory aims to expand production to 4 gigawatts per hour by the end of 2025, with potential for further expansion based on market demand.
The company, Energy Absolute, also manufactures commercial electric vehicles such as buses, trucks, ferries, and locomotives.
Future plans include manufacturing an electric tugboat.
The battery and EV factories primarily serve domestic demand, but the company plans to stabilize its growth in Thailand before expanding to the international market.
Chatrapon Sripratum, Energy Absolute's vice president, believes that Thailand's increasing focus on the green economy will benefit the company's growth.
Batteries are a key component of this transition, serving as power sources for electric vehicles and contributing to the storage of electricity from renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydropower.
However, as battery demand rises, it's important to prepare for capacity expansion and continue research and development to improve battery and EV manufacturing technology.
Sripratum also suggests that the Thai government consider additional incentives to support businesses in this sector beyond the current BOI measures.
Energy Absolute is in talks with the Board of Investment (BOI) in Thailand to discuss ways to support the company's growth.
The BOI is currently holding a roadshow in China to attract leading battery cell manufacturers to invest in Thailand as part of the country's plan to establish itself as an electric vehicle manufacturing hub.
The roadshow, which started on April 7 in Guangdong and Fujian provinces, aims to explain the incentives available to battery cell manufacturers, including maximum 15-year tax exemptions on corporate and dividend taxes, import duty on machines, and import duty on materials for future export.
Battery manufacturers will receive significant tax incentives in Thailand.
They are eligible for a 90% reduction in import duty for materials used in production and a full import duty exemption for research materials.
Additionally, those with investment privileges will receive subsidies for investment, research, and personnel training.
