When electric vehicles entered the hinterland of Southeast Asia, charging anxiety was once the biggest obstacle. Local Laotian company LOCA issues the country's first green bond, injecting real money into the national charging network. From the streets of Vientiane to the north-south thoroughfares, a transportation revolution driven by green finance is quietly reshaping this land.

On September 5, 2026, LOCA, a local enterprise in Laos, successfully issued the country's first green bond, specifically for the construction of electric vehicle charging stations nationwide, which will completely improve the inconvenience of charging electric vehicles in the local area.

Bonds empower charging infrastructure

Green bonds are financing tools specifically invested in environmentally friendly and green projects. All funds raised in this LOCA will be used to upgrade and expand the national charging network. At present, the company has built 84 charging stations in 18 provinces of Laos, which is the largest and only charging infrastructure network in Laos that achieves full coverage. The power of the charging station can reach 120 to 240 kilowatts, and the fast charging of vehicles only takes 20 to 30 minutes, with extremely high charging efficiency.

Complete the shortcomings of the global layout

With the support of this financing, LOCA will continue to expand its charging stations, with a focus on strengthening the layout of charging stations in Vientiane and major core cities. At the same time, plan and improve the charging network of the main road, achieve a distance of no more than 50 kilometers between fast charging stations along the line, and open up a charging channel for the entire north-south area. Laos has green and clean power resources, with over 96% of its electricity coming from hydropower. It promotes electric vehicles as a substitute for imported fuel, saves foreign exchange, and practices low-carbon development. According to government planning, the penetration rate of electric vehicles in Laos is expected to reach 30% by 2030, with the construction of over a thousand charging stations and precise alignment of enterprise layout with national development plans. Keywords: Laos, charging stations, low-carbon development

Deeply cultivating green industries and gaining international recognition

LOCA has been deeply involved in the field of electric transportation for many years. Four years ago, it launched the promotion of electric vehicles, and its ride hailing fleet has achieved an electrification rate of 95%. It plans to achieve full electrification of the entire series by 2030. This green bond issuance has received technical guidance from the Asian Development Bank, established a system based on ASEAN green standards, and has been independently certified by international institutions. PIDG international institutions have also participated in the investment, which has been highly recognized in the industry. With the support of regulatory authorities and exchanges, the project has been successfully implemented, setting a benchmark for green financing and low-carbon development for local enterprises in Laos.Editor/Gong Ziwei