Kuala lumpur: A year ago, during my Wolfson Press Fellowship at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, I was grappling with a question I was not entirely sure I wanted to answer. Is Malaysia really ready for the battery electric vehicle (BEV) transition?
According to BERNAMA News Agency, during the 10-week fellowship under the Khazanah Residency Programme in 2025, the research focused on Malaysia's push into the EV industry, titled 'Malaysia's Passenger BEV Push: Global Pressure Or Local Demand? And Why The Mainstream Media Silence?' The study delved into whether Malaysia's pursuit of passenger BEVs was genuinely driven by domestic demand or by global pressure, given the country's status as an oil and gas producer and exporter, with historically subsidized fuel making petrol relatively affordable.
The research raised concerns about whether Malaysia's economic and infrastructure landscape could support the transition to BEVs, similar to countries like Norway and China. The electricity grid in Malaysia is still transitioning towards cleaner sources, while BEV charging infrastructure remains uneven. As of May 31, 2026, only 6,416 public chargers had been completed, falling short of the target of 10,000 by the end of 2025.
The government's recent proposal to impose a levy on BEV sales to fund public charging infrastructure highlights a critical development in Malaysia's EV transition. Malaysia needs more charging facilities as BEV numbers grow. Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani cited China's experience, where billions were spent by the government on public charging stations, as a model for Malaysia.
The transition also faces challenges with the electricity grid. Using Tesla's Supercharger as an illustration, the research highlighted the significant electricity consumption required for charging BEVs, indicating that Malaysia will need sufficient electricity generation and stronger networks to support widespread BEV adoption.
Effective July 1, 2026, Malaysia's BEV policy entered a new phase as tax exemptions for imported CBU BEVs ended, aimed at encouraging local assembly and strengthening the domestic automotive ecosystem. However, this policy could affect the pricing and availability of some imported models, potentially slowing BEV adoption among price-sensitive consumers.
The transition to BEVs is further complicated by the relatively low petrol prices in Malaysia. With RON95 priced at RM1.99 per litre since September 2025, consumers may find BEVs financially less attractive despite the potential reduction in the government's fuel subsidy costs.
The success of Malaysia's BEV transition depends on various factors, including the availability of affordable BEV models, local assembly, and widespread charging facilities. The real question remains whether ordinary Malaysians can afford, charge, and feel assured about owning a BEV. The balance between keeping transport affordable, managing fuel subsidies, building charging stations, and ensuring sufficient electricity supply is crucial for encouraging more Malaysians to switch to BEVs.