Environment

This is the first time I get to write about the new Chevrolet plug-in hybrid, as there is finally a Thai connection to the story.

According to the source, GM could bring the Chevrolet Volt to Thailand as early as 2011. The decision to bring the new car to Thailand is not all that surprising, and could eventually pave the way for local assembly in Thailand.

What is this Volt thing?

Unless you've been sleeping under a rock, it's unlikely that you haven't already heard about the Chevrolet Volt. If you simply google the word "volt" you'll get some indication about how important the Volt has become.

Recently there have been a spate of fuel price increases and decreases in Thailand. Invariably the change in price is announced the day before and takes effect at midnight. In cases where the price is to increase, this announcement will trigger a rush to the pumps to get the tank filled before the price goes up.

Have you ever got caught up in this mentality? Often the price change is something like 40 satang (0.40 baht), and at today's prices this would represent around a 1.6% change in the price of gas. So, for example, if a liter of fuel cost 25 baht today and is going to go up to 25.40 baht by tomorrow, your rush to the pumps to top up your tank with 40 liters of fuel will potentially save you 16 baht! But if you factor in that the trip to the pumps and back home, most of that advantage will likely be lost. Even if not, is 16 baht really worth the effort?

Toyota continued to work for the environment by injecting 15 billion Baht opening up its "green factory" using the most advanced energy conserving techniques, hoping to be the center for further study on environmental-friendly technology.

The Bangkok Post has an interesting article in the business section today regarding multi-modal logistics opportunities.

As oil prices spiral upwards, economies that depend on a disproportionate use of road transport to support their manufacturing and export markets will continue to suffer, if not eventually become moribund.

The article suggests that Thailand is very dependent on oil for its transport requirements, and highlights that any increase in oil prices have a negative impact on the economy. Although we would think that the effect would be felt by competing countries in a similar way, it seems that Thailand's lack of utilisation of alternatives to road transport puts it at a disadvantage. The article continues:

As fuel prices continue to rise and the government and media in Thailand continue to advise us on the "energy crisis", we are being bombarded with tips and suggestions on how to conserve fuel when driving. If you live in Thailand you will have seen suggestions that are far reaching in their relevance to the masses, such as: "only use your biggest car when you need to transport more than 2 people" and "try taking the roof rack off your car as it causes drag" or "wind up your windows when you're using the air conditioning unit."