A Study on Household Characteristics, Trip Behaviours, and Potential of Using Electric Vehicles in Regional Mid-Sized Cities in Thailand: A Case Study of Khon Kaen City

Abstract

This study aims at investigating household characteristics and travel behaviours of population in regional cities of Thailand, using Khon Kaen as a principal study area. According to the study, it is found that approximately 20 per cent of interviewed households are classified as high-potential electric car (EV) buyers. Also, the average distance of trip-chains made by the car-travellers is 12.14 km/day which can be performed by all of EV currently sold on the market without conditions. The findings also seem to imply more suitability of EV for daily uses in regional cities, considering distance and range compared to Bangkok. Eventually, EV markets in regional cities remain opening. Dedicated measures from the government may easily encourage use of EV in those regional cities.