Peter Lyon
February 27, 2024
Malaysia’s switch to electric vehicles (EVs) is happening—and sooner than you think. As stated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the introduction of the Budget 2024, the Malaysian government plans to start using electric vehicles this year, according to Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability.
The minister told reporters that the shift will occur gradually since the government must assess the financial effects on the various agencies after yesterday’s soft start of the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2024.
“The government fleet will include EVs this year, as declared by the Prime Minister last year. We need to consider the financial implications as well,” the minister said yesterday.
We can only make assumptions at this point because the government has not yet made any information about the EV procurement public. However, given that the national automaker’s first electric vehicle is anticipated “very soon,” a Proton model might take that position, according to Proton CEO Li Chunrong.
The Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Bin Tengku Abdul Aziz, has also been actively participating in EV debuts including the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal, making them potential options.
If the government intends to replace its existing fleet of Toyota Vellfire models, then the only likely choice will be the Maxus MIFA 9, which was launched in Malaysia late last year. To highlight the gravity of this event, even the Prime Minister and four other cabinet ministers attended.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
It’s certainly very brave of the government to announce such a “shift to EV” program, especially given that charging infrastructure and EV model lineups are incomplete at the moment. Let’s hope that interest parties can install the necessary chargers—reliable chargers that is—which deliver care-free motoring for those motorists willing to bite the bullet and switch to an EV.
