Thailand is tightening scrutiny of electric vehicle (EV) sales as the rapid expansion of the market and fierce competition among automakers raise concerns over warranties, after-sales support and whether buyers are receiving adequate information about their vehicles.
The government has ordered nationwide inspections of EV dealers and showrooms, requiring sellers to provide complete and accurate information on vehicle specifications, battery performance and warranty conditions, said the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), a central government agency attached to the Office of the Prime Minister, tasked with safeguarding consumers against unfair commercial practices.
The move comes after electric car sales in Thailand surged 70 per cent in 2025 to about 140,000 vehicles, accounting for nearly a quarter of all new car sales, according to the International Energy Agency.
Thailand’s EV boom has been fuelled by subsidies, tax breaks and import incentives that have drawn billions of dollars in investment and transformed the country, long a regional production base for Japanese automakers, into a key battleground for Chinese EV manufacturers.
Chinese brands account for more than 70 per cent of Thailand’s EV sales, while the country’s incentive policies have attracted more than US$4 billion in EV investment.
The influx has widened consumer choice and pushed down prices, but the speed of the transition has also exposed gaps in consumer protection and after-sales services, according to a 2025 study on Thailand’s EV market.
The research conducted by the Thailand Consumer Council, an independent organisation that champions and protects consumer rights across the country, identified concerns including unclear warranty terms, slow insurance and warranty claims, long waits for spare parts and uncertainty over the long-term presence of some manufacturers and importers. It also warned that sudden price cuts could erode second-hand vehicle values and increase financial pressure on existing owners.
Market researcher Ipsos has similarly found that the appeal of Chinese EVs’ technology and modern designs is tempered by concerns among Thai consumers over after-sales support and resale value. Lower new-car prices can also translate into weaker values in the used-car market, it said.
Against that backdrop, the government said the high cost of vehicles and their long-term financial implications made stronger safeguards increasingly important.
“Electric vehicles are high-value products, and each purchase has long-term implications for how people use them and for their financial burden,” Prime Minister’s Office Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi said in a statement.
“Consumers must receive complete, accurate and non-misleading information so they can compare products and make informed decisions.”
Officials will initially inspect showrooms and sales outlets in Bangkok and surrounding provinces before expanding checks nationwide. Businesses that fail to display legally required labels or provide complete information will face legal action, the OCPB said.
Particular attention will be paid to battery performance and the duration and conditions of battery warranties, issues that can significantly affect the long-term cost and value of an EV.
The OCPB will also work with the Thai Industrial Standards Institute and Department of Land Transport to strengthen disclosure standards covering vehicle certification and registration.
The tighter scrutiny comes as Thailand considers a proposed product liability law, commonly referred to as a Lemon Law, aimed at strengthening protections for buyers of defective high-value goods, including cars.
The bill has passed its first reading in the House of Representatives and is undergoing further parliamentary consideration.
Until the proposed law takes effect, the OCPB said it would fully enforce existing consumer protection legislation governing product labelling and advertising.
“Complete disclosure is the starting point for fairness in transactions,” Supamas said.
“I want Thailand’s electric vehicle market to grow on genuine consumer confidence.”
