Bangkok Governor defends rejected EV garbage truck budget

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has addressed the rejection of a 6 billion baht budget for electric vehicle (EV) garbage trucks by the Bangkok Metropolitan Council. The Governor defended the project, asserting that the transition to EV trucks would save between 4,000 and 4,500 million baht in energy costs over five years while reducing air pollution.

Addressing concerns regarding transparency and potential favoritism, Sittipunt clarified that the lack of a formal Terms of Reference (TOR) for the 2027 budget cycle is standard procedure, as committees are only appointed after budget approval to avoid ‘locking specifications.’ He noted that the administration used benchmark pricing from previous EV proposals to negotiate a 30% reduction in rental costs for existing diesel truck providers.

Regarding infrastructure, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to have the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) invest in and install charging stations at waste disposal centers. This approach avoids upfront costs for the BMA and ensures the infrastructure can support future EV fleets, such as water trucks.

On labor matters, the BMA is managing its workforce of approximately 7,000 sanitation workers and 2,500 drivers through a gradual outsourcing process tied to retirement ages, aiming to maintain service stability and prevent risks associated with total privatization.