The Thailand government recently acquired a fleet of Tesla Model 3 to place them into service as police cars. According to Teslarati, these seven EV cop cars cost the government $2.7 million USD, making each car about $385k. If that figure is correct, then it would make each vehicle almost ten times the cost of a standard range Model 3 in the U.S.

But according to a Facebook response to that post (now since appear to be deleted) from a Thai offical, General Torsak Sukvimol, the tesla vehicles are actually leased, and the price of the lease is cheaper than the Mercedes Benz S Class vehicles they were previously using.

Here’s a rough translation:

“The coin has always two sides. Will get the same understanding. Respectfully study. tesla cars use electricity, all cars do not need to add fuel. Is a monthly car rental system. There are a total of 7 vehicles that will replace the Mercedes Benz. The S-class used the VVIP procession to bring the guests of the government to the ambassador. Benz S Class expires lease Is my own idea Offer up to when I am a land manager. Price is cheaper than Benz S Class. Importantly, we do not have to bother about fuel purchase because we do not use fuel. Can reduce the expenditure budget a lot It is a vehicle that uses VVIP to check and Wor. 10 around the royal palace, which will help reduce pollution. model 3 is a new medium-sized car. Can run 300 km per charge In the patrol car area, which is a small car using fuel I myself have the idea to use a small electric train instead of a fuel-efficient car. Such as the MG cars, which are currently being tested in two cars Cheaper rent Reducing budget for fuel purchase, reducing pollution, would like to be a pilot unit The purpose is just this. Without any benefits Covert With respect “

Thailand is extremely far behind in EV adoption, most of it is due to the extremely high cost. Currently, the cost of an EV is prohibitively high.

Tesla Model 3 Price in Thailand

The price of an imported Tesla Model 3 in Thailand costs about three time more than the U.S., currently running at about $140,000.

To get an in depth explanation at the current state of EV in Thailand, allow tesla superfan and Youtuber Bjorn Nyland to explain in this video.

According to IHS Markit, the Thai government only just recently unveiled a roadmap for EV in March 2020.

“”the government plans to promote electric vehicles (EVs) through state agencies and has set a target to produce 250,000 electrified vehicles, 3,000 electric public buses, and 53,000 electric motorcycles by 2025. The EV master plan aims to increase EV production to 30% of total annual car production, or about 750,000 units out of 2.5 million units by 2030.”

Source: sanook