News imageThe Climate Question, The Climate Question, The electric car boom in South East Asia

The Climate Question

The Climate Question

The electric car boom in South East Asia

17 May 2026

26 minutes

Available for over a year

Electric vehicle sales are soaring in Thailand and Vietnam. What’s behind the boom? And will it help the climate?

Thais and Vietnamese are switching to electric cars in huge numbers – attracted by government subsidies and a more exciting range of EVs.

Jobs in the car industry are also up in both countries as a new generation of manufacturers compete for domination of the emerging electric market.

But can the pace of growth last? Will the boom in electric cars reduce the chronic air pollution in cities like Bangkok? And will it help Thailand and Vietnam reduce their carbon emissions?

In this edition of The Climate Question, Host Jordan Dunbar chats to Ember’s Asian Energy Analyst, Lam Pham and Bloomberg’s Thailand Reporter, Patpicha Tanakasempipat.

Got a question or comment? Email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Production team: Nik Sindle, Diane Richardson, Melanie Stewart-Smith

Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown.

Sound Mix: Jack Graysmark and Tom Brignell.

Editor: Simon Watts.