Mitsubishi Motors Thailand signs MoU with Thailand Post and OR to launch pilot study on BEVs in local logistics operations as part of efforts to stimulate domestic demand for EVs

Bangkok – March 7, 2022: Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Thailand Post and PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc. (OR) announced a partnership to conduct a pilot study on the commercial use of the battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs), namely Minicab MiEV, in delivering parcels in order to explore the potential of a widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EV) in Thailand, and also aims to reduce the carbon footprint of companies from all industries at the operational level, help lower their costs, further promote environmentally friendly delivery protocols and reduce environmental impacts in the long run.

Mr. Eiichi Koito, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Thailand, together with Mr. Kamput Yukhong, (COO of Operation) Chief Operating Systems and Metropolitan Operating Officer, Thailand Post and Ms. Jiraphon Kawswat, President & CEO, PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc. (OR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to conduct a pilot study on the battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) in logistic operations. Under this pilot study which will last for one year, Mitsubishi Motors Thailand will provide two units of Minicab MiEVs to better understand and explore the BEVs in commercial applications, collect and analyze the EV usage data, behavior on the usage of postal transport and explore the potential of a widespread adoption of the EV in Thailand by gathering the real-world field data through Thailand Post's logistic operations.

Thailand Post will be using the MITSUBISHI Minicab MiEVs to deliver parcels to customers from two pilot post offices, including Laksi, Bangkok and Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, to begin the study. At each of the chosen locations, EV Station PluZ provided by OR will be installed for the Minicab MiEVs to be charged via a normal charging system (AC). Once the Minicab MiEVs are provided, Thailand Post will collect and analyze the EV usage data. The training sessions and field visits will be co-organized among Mitsubishi Motors Thailand, Thailand Post, and OR staff to exchange their technical knowledge and know-how.

Mr. Eiichi Koito, President & CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Thailand, enthused about the MOU, said, “I would like to thank Thailand Post and OR, who both were a part of this initiative to explore the commercial viability of electrification. This partnership spearheads one aspect of Mitsubishi Motors Thailand’s electrification agenda in Thailand. We are trying to develop the electrified vehicle market in Thailand while raising awareness among consumers about the benefits and importance of EVs to strengthen this new market and grow consumers’ interests. We plan to expand the electrified powertrains of both BEVs and HEVs (hybrid electric vehicles) in addition to the PHEV (plug-in hybrid) as a global pioneer of the first BEV mass-production company in 2009. In terms of the BEVs, we are considering several options, one of which is to study its commercial purpose.”

Mr. Kamput Yukhong, (COO of Operation) Chief Operating Systems and Metropolitan Operating Officer, Thailand Post said, “I would like to express my sincere appreciation for this collaboration. Our company does not only focus on delivering parcels to customers, but we also concern ourselves with effective solutions to the current environmental issues Thailand and the world are facing. Since Laksi Post Office is located near the Government Complex, where heavy traffic congestions often occur, we see the importance of EV usage in this location. As for the Klong Luang Post Office, this branch is located outside the boundaries of the metropolitan area and has covered a large area of delivery services. With a location close to Thammasart University, we can showcase our leadership to the young generations in EV adoption in delivery services. With the use of Mitsubishi Minicab MiEVs, I am certain that we can save energy and reduce CO2 emissions at the same time.”

Ms. Jiraphon Kawswat, President & CEO, PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc. (OR) said, “One of the OR 2030 goals is to create a healthy environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions generated by the entire business operation, and increasing the proportion of clean energy use, together with other methods in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. It’s not only to align with this direction, but this collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors Thailand and Thailand Post also aligns with one of our missions, which is to strengthen energy solutions for seamless mobility in response to customers’ s demand and align with clean energy usage in the future. This year, the company plans to increase EV Station PluZ charging stations to around 350 both inside and outside the PTT stations to support the growing number of the usage of electric cars. The collaboration with Thailand Post and Mitsubishi Motors Thailand, the leader of delivery services and automotive industry can enhance the parcel delivery that saves energy and is also more environmentally friendly."

The Mitsubishi Minicab MiEV offers a quiet, economical, and environmentally friendly drive while also having a maximum payload capability of 350kg with two passengers. The cargo floor-length will be measured at 2,685 mm once the passenger seat is folded. Sliding doors facilitate loading and unloading.

Mitsubishi Minicab MiEVs can be charged via the CHAdeMO charging systems (DC) and can reach up to 80 percent within 35 minutes; with the standard charging systems (AC), the Minicab MiEV can be fully charged within seven hours. While being on the move, the Minicab MiEVs can use a regenerative braking system that converts braking force into electricity to allow for drives to a further destination. Similar with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, it can act as an energy source in the Dendo Drive House (DDH) ecosystem which is our concept of the V2X (Vehicle to X).

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has provided 9,000 Minicab MiEvs to various logistics companies, retailers and the local government in Japan. Out of 9,000 units, 1,500 units were delivered to Japan Post’s fleet. Previously, Mitsubishi Motors Thailand also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Eternity Grand Logistics Public Co., Ltd. during July last year to begin a pilot study on the economic viability of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) in Thailand. These studies have been initiated after the launch of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV which was the start of Mitsubishi Motors Thailand’s electrification journey in the country over the past two years. The model has offered low to zero-emissions motoring with zero range-anxiety and driving dynamics and performance that rivals the best SUVs on the road today. It is the perfect solution for today’s charging infrastructure and convenience.

This pilot study with Thailand Post and OR has led Mitsubishi Motors Thailand to become closer to pursuing its main objective of becoming a carbon-neutral company. It furthermore promotes the government’s aim of reducing emissions produced by vehicles in Thailand. Mitsubishi Motors Thailand will continue to seek out new opportunities with both private and public sectors in order to develop EV vehicles that will be a great fit for the Thai market in the future.

About Mitsubishi Motors Thailand (MMTh)

Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd., the largest plant in the MMC group and an export hub to more than 120 countries, is one of Thailand’s leading automotive manufacturers committed to produce and sell a range of vehicles that are eco-friendly, high in quality, performance, safety, comfort, technology and customer satisfaction. In 2018 MMTh celebrated a total production of five million units, and officially opened Education Academy in Pathum Thani. MMTh’s current range of vehicles includes MITSUBISHI TRITON, MITSUBISHI PAJERO SPORT, MITSUBISHI ATTRAGE, MITSUBISHI MIRAGE, MITSUBISHI XPANDER, MITSUBISHI XPANDER CROSS and MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV. To ensure the highest quality, MMTh uses its proving ground in Si Racha, Chonburi to assess products from design and prototype stages to pre-production and commercialization. This ensures customers take delivery of vehicles that are second-to-none in all aspects of quality.

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