Central Department Store Upgrades EV Charging Stations, Offering Free Service and Expanding to Become the Largest EV Charging Network in Thailand.

Visit "Central Department Store" for upgraded "EV Charger"
With the most charging stations in Thailand, offering free service

Following the launch of the first "EV STATION" electric vehicle charging station in a department store two years ago, Central Group has partnered with Charge, a leading electric vehicle charging station management company, to continue its mission of promoting quality of life, social development, and environmental sustainability under the "CENTRAL...Love the Earth" project. Central has upgraded its EV Charger, a German-made innovation that can charge all types and brands of electric vehicles, delivering fast and powerful charging with guaranteed safety. The number of charging stations has been increased to 20, making Central the department store with the most electric vehicle charging stations in Thailand. This expansion caters to the growing number of customers who are switching to electric vehicles. The charging service is free and available at Central Chidlom and Central Embassy.

Thaweeporn Narapallop, Omni-Channel Merchandising Director at Central Department Store Co., Ltd., stated that "Central Department Store is the first department store in Thailand to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers at EV charging stations at Central Chidlom and Central Embassy in 2016. This is because we see that there is a growing awareness and use of electric vehicles worldwide and in Thailand. It is also a continuation of the Central...Love The Earth mission to create environmental awareness, which has been launched and implemented since 2008."

"We have recently partnered with Charge Management Co., Ltd. to install new electric vehicle charging stations. These new stations replace the previous ones installed two years ago and feature advanced technology that meets the international standard for electric vehicle charging stations (IEC 61851). This ensures safety and compatibility with both plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV). The stations can accommodate all electric vehicle brands and offer a total of 20 charging points, with 12 located at Central Chidlom and 8 at Central Embassy. Staff are available to assist at the charging stations.

Previously, the two charging stations at Central Embassy served an average of 3 vehicles per day. Since the installation of the additional stations, the average daily usage has increased to 12 vehicles, representing a 75% increase."

Pirapat Sirichantaropas, Managing Director of Charge Management Co., Ltd.

and Piyawan Leelalamphop, Deputy Managing Director, Marketing Department, Central Department Store Co., Ltd.

**Pirapat Sirichantharophas**, Managing Director of Charge Management Co., Ltd., a company that supports the installation and management of electric vehicle charging stations, added that the popularity of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is growing faster than expected. The growth rate is projected to reach 40% per year over the next three years, starting from 2018. Shopping malls and office buildings will need to provide facilities to support these two types of electric vehicles.

"Currently, most plug-in electric vehicles are still relatively expensive, whether they are PHEVs from leading car manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Volvo, or BEVs from BMW, Nissan, or Tesla. However, I believe that the price is not beyond the reach of Central Group's customers, who are increasingly turning to electric vehicles. We found that the proportion of electric vehicle users at Central Group is 1.3%, which is higher than the proportion of electric vehicles in Thailand, which is 0.005%."

In his capacity as the executive managing and installing power stations for various organizations, including leading residential buildings, Peerapat revealed that "Charge sees Central Group's customers as aligning with its target audience. Therefore, the company has provided support and installed 20 sets of 22-kilowatt electric vehicle charging stations, featuring German innovation, at Central Chidlom and Central Embassy shopping centers. This makes Central Group the department store with the most power stations in the country."

“We have chosen to use electric vehicle chargers that meet safety standards and have a capacity of 22 kilowatts. Although plug-in hybrid vehicles currently use electricity at a rate of no more than 4 kilowatts, we are looking to the future where vehicles will consume up to 22 kilowatts (for 100% battery-powered vehicles). Based on our observations of customer behavior, we have found that most people spend an average of 2 hours shopping or running errands at the mall. Therefore, if we use this amount of time and a power delivery of 22 kilowatts to the battery of a parked car that has been driven from home with at least 50% battery remaining, the high power delivery efficiency will allow for fast charging within this 2-hour timeframe. Importantly, we will not charge any fees at this time, as we want to encourage people to switch to electric vehicles, which emit less pollution than conventional cars. We also want to demonstrate the advantages of using electric power, which is more cost-effective than using gasoline,” said Peerapatr.

Pirapat also revealed the "3 advantages of electric vehicles" as follows:
1. Reduce air pollution: Electric vehicles do not emit exhaust fumes, and the reduced use of fossil fuels helps to reduce air pollution, which in turn contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect.
2. Save energy costs: The average cost of charging an electric vehicle is only 2-4 baht/km, which is significantly cheaper than gasoline-powered vehicles.
3. Save on maintenance costs: Whether it's parts, maintenance, or engine wear and tear, electric vehicles have 60% fewer moving parts than conventional vehicles. This means that repair costs are significantly lower.

EV Charger Locations

Central Chidlom Department Store:

• Chidlom Tower Parking Lot: Level 2, 7 charging points/parking spaces.
• Central Chidlom Parking Lot: Level B, 5 charging points/parking spaces.

Central Embassy Shopping Center:

• Level B1: 8 charging points/parking spaces.

Service/Usage Steps

1. Customer informs the parking lot staff.
2. Customer registers with the parking lot staff.
3. Staff connects the charging cable to the machine and the customer's vehicle.
4. Staff uses a card to tap the machine to activate charging.
5. The machine displays a green light, indicating the charging status.
6. If the machine displays a red light, indicating an error, restart step 2.

Central department store customers can now enjoy complimentary charging services for their Plug-in Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicles at designated EV Stations located at Central Chidlom and Central Embassy shopping centers.

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