EV & Malaysia

Range anxiety level 9999!!

EVs in Malaysia are still relatively new as many still prefer the traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. But I reckon this is not because EVs are not ‘viable’ or ‘cool’ but rather the affordability and the support infrastructure (particularly charging stations and EV experts). But I digress, with the recent jolt (pun intended) to encourage the Rakyat to purchase EVs by our beloved government, it may just change things around. In their Budget 2022, the government announced EVs will be TAX FREE! You might be surprised and say, what’s the catch? None, well none that I know of at least. In Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz’s announcement, he said that the government is aware of the potential of EVs and that to support it, the government is proposing EVs to be exempted from import duties, excise duties and sales tax. He also stated that the government sees the potential of EVs in helping reduce air pollution.

More perks?

The perks do not stop there, the announcement also put forth a proposal of road tax exemption for EVs and an RM2500 income tax relief. Nice! Do keep in mind most of these are proposals and there could be changes down the line. For cars that are assembled overseas (CBU) the duty exemption will last up to the end of 2023 while locally assembled cars (CKD) will last up to 2025. This is to help kick start both bringing in EVs in the beginning and later preparing Malaysia to assemble locally shortly after. Let’s hope for the best and a tax-free Tesla does sound amazing. With many new companies making EVs on all segments from all over the world, Malaysians could be looking at a whole new landscape of cars soon. How exciting!

Hello fellow EV-ians?

This being the first article on the site, I hope it was a good and short one. Are you excited for EVs in Malaysia? Do you think Malaysians will adopt EVs fast or will we hold on to our beloved Wira(s), Saga(s) and Myvi(s) for the time being? Let us know your thoughts down below and keep it clean guys 😀 (like an EV).