The centre will bea boon to local automotive industry players as it’s located in the country

By AFIQ AZIZ / Pic By MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

Malaysian automotive manufacturers are able to conduct their carbon emission test at 40% lower than the current cost via the newly launched National Emission Test Centre (NETC) in Rawang, Selangor.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed (picture) said the centre will be a boon to local automotive industry players as they can access and experience the testing facility which is located in the country.

Mustapa’s speech was read by his Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan at the NETC launch yesterday.

He said the government- managed centre will also be available to all original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) operating within the Asean region.

The centre will further promote energy-efficient vehicle (EEV) usage in the country, in tandem with the government’s objective to achieve 80% EEV penetration by 2022.

“This is a stepping stone to make Malaysia a regional hub for EEVs in the near future,” Mustapa added.

The penetration of EEV was recorded at 52% last year, a slight increase from 42.8% in the previous year.

Mustapa said the move is also a part of Malaysia’s commitment to reduce carbon intensity in its greenhouse gases (GHG) emission to 45% by 2030.

“The transportation sector is the second-largest contributor of carbon emission globally after electricity and heat generation.

“As such, that sector is one of the key focus areas Malaysia must address to achieve its pledge,” he said.

Local automotive sector has been transitioning into greener technology for EEVs as a part of the national automotive policy 2014.

Based on the Department of Environment (DoE) data, it is estimated that 14.33% of GHG emission was contributed by the transportation sector, while 30% came from electricity generation in 2011.

In that year, up to 600,123 vehicles were sold, according to Malaysia Automotive Association’s records.

The RM50 million NETC is the first full-fledged vehicle emissions testing facility in Malaysia, and it is a testament of a successful technology transfer from Daihatsu Motor Corp to Perodua Auto Corp Sdn Bhd.

The centre will be operated by the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI).

MAI CEO Datuk Madani Sahari said currently, all 28 OEMs in Malaysia have to carry out their emission testing overseas, which costs roughly between RM30,000 and RM40,000.

“With the centre, we can guarantee that it will be 40% lower and only take up to three days to carry out test for one car.

“With the establishment of this centre, hopefully OEMs can look at lowering prices or tagging their products at competitive prices,” he said.

During the event, MAI launched the Voluntary EEV Labelling Scheme, which will be used to tag all certified EEVs.

It will enable consumers to obtain the details of any particular model with only a scan of a QR (quick response) code.

MAI signed a memorandum of understanding with the DoE and the National University of Malaysia to set up a pool of experts in environmental conservation and build programmes for automotive industries and stakeholders.