The Shell Company of Thailand Ltd. released the first-ever review of mobility in Asia, “Cities On The Move: Driving Asia’s Mobility Revolution,” which includes extensive research and interviews, providing unique insights into the emerging mobility trend across five countries – Singapore, India, The Philippines, China and Thailand. For each country, a range of issues are considered, including the impact of digitalisation, mobility trends of different generations, the variety of mobility solutions, the need for lower carbon choices, evolving consumer demands, developments in fleet services and the challenges created by COVID-19.
The report highlights the role that rapid urbanisation, a growing middle class, rising incomes and increasing aspirations are playing in the demand for mobility options throughout Asia. It considers other trends such as a desire for increased convenience, the impact of enhanced digital solutions and environmental concerns.The report also emphasises the need for a unique set of solutions tailored to the individual circumstances of each of the countries in the region.
For example, in discussing Thailand, it notes that while the country has traditionally been reliant on two-wheeled transport, wide-ranging mobility options now include high-speed trains, a rise in private car ownership, ride-hailing services, a growing mass transport system and plans for a third international airport in Bangkok.
“Thailand is poised to break out of the middle-income trap, and there are real opportunities for the nation to be a mobility leader in its own right through infrastructure investment and forward planning. However, the path to achieving a leadership position will require concerted collaboration between the government, industry partners and consumers,” said Panun Prachuabmoh, Country Chairman, the Shell Company of Thailand Limited.
The report also discusses Thailand’s fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) industry which aims to produce at least 750,000 vehicles a year by 2030, as well as the government’s plans to make the country an EV hub within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic group by 2025. Shell currently offers EV charging at retail stations through Shell Recharge in Singapore and China and is one of the largest EV charging providers in Europe.
Consideration is given to the government’s prioritising of public investment in infrastructure such as the Eastern Economic Corridor project – the planned development of Chonburi, Rayong and Chachoengsao provinces into a leading economic zone – which will lead to the development of strong regional land, sea and air transport links.
“Thailand’s government has its eyes set on becoming an EV hub and the Ministry of Energy has been pushing for the country to be a global free-trade hub for LNG. There will also be opportunities for Thailand to support alternative energy sources such as renewable electricity, and to evaluate the potential for developing the economy for hydrogen,” Panun added
Ruengsak Srithanawiboonchai, Acting Executive Director of Retail Business, the Shell Company of Thailand Limited, said: “Thailand is currently looking at a transformation in mobility that has the potential to deliver significant benefits across society proven by the fact that 70% of Thailand’s $75 billion infrastructure development plan for 2015-2022 is devoted to transport. Shell intend to meet our customers’ future demand for cleaner energy solutions, keeping pace with society with our sites of the future.”
Amr Adel, VP, Retail East, Shell said: “New technologies, the need for convenience and an increased awareness of the impact of climate change, emissions and congestion are driving today’s consumers demands in Asia. Each country requires its own solutions but, in every case, collaboration between governments, industry and consumers is essential.”
The overarching conclusion is that while each country within Asia requires its own unique mobility developments, fuels ecosystems and regulations to meet specific demands, what is common to them all is the need for collaboration between governments, industry and consumers to anticipate new trends and meet evolving needs.
