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Though Thai auto-manufacturers have been able to produce an electric car, it still needs a few changes. Plus, in order to make the car commercially viable, manufacturers need to invest in the production of a lithium-ion battery for the car. This battery should be at least 50 per cent smaller and be usable more than just once.

This car was manufactured as part of the government's campaign for alternative energy using various percentages of ethanol and bio-diesel.

TRF chief Preeda Vibulsawat said the government should consider calculating excise on cars in line with energy saved and carbon-dioxide emission rate instead of the vehicle's cubic capacity.

This would encourage the import of highly fuel-efficient cars, which could then be re-exported to other Southeast Asian nations, Australia and New Zealand.

Preeda also suggested that the government rethink its plans to produce 85-per-cent-ethanol fuel because it had many weak points. For instance, it generates very low energy when compared with bio-diesel and both the European Union and Japan have rejected it.

"The government should consider the country's long-term future, because 50 per cent of car-manufacturers in Thailand supply the domestic market, while the rest export. The problem is whether E85 vehicles will be welcomed in importing countries," he said.