Thailand introduces consumer protections for defective EVs

Thailand is advancing new consumer protection legislation, often referred to as a ‘lemon law,’ to address growing issues in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The bill, approved by the Cabinet and Parliament in June 2026, grants consumers several rights regarding defective goods, including the right to demand repairs, product replacements, price reductions, or contract cancellations.

Crucially, the law allows buyers to suspend installment payments for goods under hire-purchase agreements while the product remains defective and unusable. This measure addresses a significant gap where consumers were previously required to continue payments even if their vehicles were stuck in workshops for months due to a lack of spare parts or dealership closures.

The legislative move follows widespread consumer complaints. Data from the Consumer Council revealed that out of 792 complaints related to EVs, 451 involved after-sales services. A significant portion of these issues stemmed from dealership closures or poor service. Specifically, the EV brand Deepal faced challenges in May 2026 when two major dealers, BRG Group and AEY EV Motor, terminated their distribution agreements, leaving some customers waiting over 45 days for repairs. Additionally, the brand Neta has been cited in hundreds of consumer complaints following its parent company's bankruptcy filing.