The introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) by national brands Proton and Perodua is targeted by the government to happen by 2025. The timeline was disclosed by Liew Chin Tong, deputy minister of international trade and industry (MITI).

In answer to Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan's inquiry regarding the cost of EVs in Malaysia, the Iskandar Puteri MP stated, "This is parliament." We've included a link to the video that the latter uploaded on X, which shows his query and Liew's response.

As is already known, the government has set a floor price of RM100,000, which implies that no imported EVs can be sold for less than that amount, even though CBU EVs are now exempt from import and excise duties to encourage adoption.




Budget EVs like the Wuling Air, which we test drove in Jakarta, won't be arriving in Malaysia anytime soon due to this rule; they range in price from RM50k to RM70k. Priced at RM100k, the Neta V is significantly less expensive in Thailand. It was previously reported that the BYD Dolphin failed to reach the century mark.

Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, the minister of MITI, earlier stated that the need was set up to give local players time to prepare for electrification.





"We're giving local automakers time to get ready for electric vehicles. There have been inquiries into why we are not liberalizing more quickly, but we must consider the wider picture in order to safeguard our regional auto sector for a while in order to ensure a fair transition, since it does affect many people, from suppliers to jobs," he stated in July.

Liew used a similar tone when he stated in the video below that the goal of government policy is to grow the local auto sector using local content. According to him, there are no pricing limitations on CKD EVs, and the government encourages all automakers to open shops in Malaysia.

Although there is definitely a hint of protectionism in this legislation, it will undoubtedly help the domestic car industry and players rather than throwing open the door to low-cost EV imports from China, where companies will merely resell the vehicles for low prices and pocket the difference. Yes, you can purchase a DSFK Seres E1 for RM60,000, but is it really what you want to do? What are your thoughts on this?