Global Future Mobility Summit Kicks Off in Thailand, Focusing on Electrification, Intelligence, and Green Energy Synergy

On May 13, 2026, the main forum of the Global Future Mobility Conference 2026 (GFM2026) was held in Thailand. Co-hosted by the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), China EV100, and the Global Renewable Energy & Electric Mobility Partnership (GREEM), the event carried the theme “Toward Intelligent and Green Mobility” and aimed to explore key topics including the global automotive industry’s transition toward electrification and intelligence, Thailand’s advantages as a regional manufacturing hub, resilient supply chain restructuring, and green energy development. In his keynote speech, Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary-General of the BOI, stated that the automotive industry is rapidly shifting toward cleaner, smarter, and more connected mobility. Thailand will leverage its established automotive industrial base to advance a full range of xEV technologies—including hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and fuel cell vehicles—and implement comprehensive policies introduced by the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee (EV Board). On the supply side, these policies support vehicle and component manufacturing, battery and battery-swap station construction, and software development; on the demand side, they offer subsidies, tax incentives, and transitional technology support under the EV3.0 and EV3.5 schemes based on emissions reduction criteria. Zhang Yongwei, Chairman of the China EV100 Research Institute, noted that global new energy vehicle (NEV) penetration is projected to exceed 45% by 2030, with annual sales reaching 45 million units. He proposed six pathways to deepen global collaboration: integrating vehicle electrification with green energy systems, enhancing technology sharing in electrification and intelligence, promoting overseas capacity deployment and localized production, coordinating upstream material and semiconductor supply chains, harmonizing standards for autonomous driving and carbon footprint measurement, and establishing a global battery recycling system. During the roundtable discussion, representatives from the Thailand Electric Vehicle Association, BYD, Autoliv, Bosch, Guangsuo Future, and Mitsui & Co.-Isuzu engaged in dialogue on four key themes: 1. **Technology Evolution and Industrial Upgrading**: Participants agreed that the industry’s focus is shifting from mechanical manufacturing to software-, energy-, and data-driven ecosystems. Thailand must evolve from a production base into a regional center for technology, testing, standard-setting, and talent development. Given infrastructure constraints, PHEVs are seen as a critical transitional solution, while AI and high-voltage fast-charging technologies will accelerate autonomous driving and enable new business models. 2. **Thailand’s Regional Competitiveness and Localized Supply Chains**: Panelists acknowledged Thailand’s 50-year legacy in automotive manufacturing, open market environment, and mature parts ecosystem, but noted that the NEV supply chain has yet to develop a model tailored to local conditions. BYD reported achieving nearly 50% localization and recommended stronger policy support for PHEVs. With pickup trucks already at 90% localization, integrating biofuels could extend the value of existing internal combustion engine (ICE) supply chains. 3. **Supply Chain Resilience Amid Geopolitical Shifts**: Facing trade uncertainties, companies are enhancing resilience through multi-sourcing, “China+N” manufacturing strategies, vertical integration, and strategic inventory management. Thailand’s solid industrial foundation, political stability, and strong OEM presence position it to attract more foreign investment. Investors increasingly prioritize reliability, quality, and rapid responsiveness over cost alone. 4. **Green Energy and Charging Infrastructure**: Thailand’s vehicle-to-charger ratio has worsened to 45:1. Slow permitting for charging stations, lack of smart grid management, absence of time-of-use electricity pricing, and a power mix dominated by natural gas (68% of generation, at $0.28/kWh) undermine the economic viability of EVs. Participants recommended promoting integrated “solar + storage + charging” stations, expanding solar, energy storage, and biomass energy, and establishing a green electricity trading mechanism. Biofuels were highlighted as a pragmatic transitional solution that balances carbon neutrality, agricultural economics, and energy security. Participants unanimously recommended that over the next 10 to 15 years, Thailand should deeply integrate globalization, intelligence, and green manufacturing; attract transfers of core technologies; develop a full industrial chain encompassing chips, cameras, software, and AI; rebuild its power system centered on green electricity; embed itself firmly into global supply chains; safeguard innovation-driven investments; and maximize the reuse of existing ICE supply chains through circular economy principles to ensure a stable and robust transition.