Public transport decarbonization in Chiang Mai: A case study on converting red truck taxis to electrification

Abstract

Electrifying public transport is a key strategy for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving urban air quality. In Chiang Mai, Thailand, Red Trucks (Songthaews) are a primary mode of transport but rely heavily on diesel, contributing significantly to local air pollution and carbon emissions. This study assesses the technical and environmental feasibility of replacing diesel-powered Red Trucks with battery electric vehicles (BEVs), using real-world driving data from both conventional and converted vehicles. Energy consumption and well-to-wheel (WtW) CO₂ emissions were evaluated across typical urban and peri-urban routes. Results show that BEV conversion reduces energy consumption by approximately 72% and WtW CO2 emissions by 45% compared to diesel trucks. While BEVs eliminate tailpipe emissions, the overall emission benefits are influenced by Thailand’s electricity grid composition, underscoring the importance of integrating renewable energy. The findings demonstrate the potential for substantial energy savings and emissions reductions through fleet electrification, providing a replicable pathway for sustainable urban transport in similar developing cities.

Keywords

• Clean energy
• Decarbonization
• Electrification
• Electric taxi
• Public transport

Supporting Institution

This work was supported by the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund (ENCON Fund) [grant number 65-03-0009].

Thanks

Mr. Worawut Kongwee gratefully acknowledges the Master’s Degree Program in Master of Arts and Science (Integrated Science), Chiang Mai University, under the CMU Presidential Scholarship. The authors thank Mr. Kittikun Poolsawat for his technical assistance and experimental support during this study.

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