The Japanese car maker Mitsubishi Motors has lobbied the Industry Ministry for government support for its lithium battery cars.
Mitsubishi has proposed that the ministry push local production toward battery-powered cars and list the product as a strategic direction for the nation's 2010-2015 automotive plan.
The ministry is now drafting the fiveyear strategic plan as a guideline for the automotive industry.
In addition to privileges, the government should persuade investors to support local production of this car, said Nobuyuki Murahashi, president of Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand).
He added that building parts to supply the industry and public infrastructure such as charging stations need to be planned.
A local production base would need to import motors and batteries from Japan.
The lithium battery would be charged through household power stations. It is for driving in the city and may deliver 160 kilometres per charge. Mitsubishi recently launched a plug-in car commercially in Japan.
"When we visit Japan to hear suggestions from automobile operators next month, we should know if others support the premise or not. Then we will return to work out the incentives," said Sorayud Petchtrakul, an adviser to the industry minister.
Mitsubishi also confirmed its plan to launch an E85 Lancer model in the final quarter of the year.
Mr Sorayud said the ministry is in the process of determining the best direction for the automotive industry the next five years and plans on visiting Japanese and European car manufacturers to hear their suggestions.
"Eco-car vehicles are about to be outdated. The new direction for the industry could be something like this lithium battery technology, which is light in body,has less combustion and no fuel consumption.
"This could be the technology that answers future fuel and vehicle demands as we move toward a more fuelindependent society," he said.
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