There are few concerns surrounding EVs adoption — affordability, charging stations and availability for second-hand buying

by AUFA MARDHIAH / pic BERNAMA

THE Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) is hoping that the government can introduce more policies or incentives to drive the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country.

MARii chairman Datuk Phang Ah Tong said the adoption of EVs in the country is currently very much policy driven.

“The importance of the policy ensures MARii able to work together with stakeholders like Tenaga Nasional Bhd to develop and ensure sure the whole EV ecosystem runs smoothly. The adoption of EV needs to be parallel between energy agency and policy.

“Incentives, meanwhile, will also play a big part in promoting the adoption of EVs in the country, not just for the original equipment manufacturer, but to the consumer as well as among the business community, particularly the vendors,” he said during a press conference in conjunction with the EVM Asia 2022 expo recently.

Commenting further on the adoption of EVs in Malaysia, Phang said its full adoption is entirely up to the public’s acceptance.

“Currently, there are more than 2,700 EVs in Malaysia (including car and motorbike), which is a good start for EV awareness.

“However, there are few concerns on EV adoption and they include affordability, how far can one charge (depends on usage) and availability for second-hand buying. All of this will take some time for the society to get used to EV. Going forward, as technology evolves when it’s possible to get a better mileage upon charge, the price of EV will come down,” he further added.

On the charging station for EV by 2025, he said, “we are looking at 9,000 AC charging and 1,000 EC charging; AC is the overnight charging with a lower cost, while EC is the fast charging up to 15 minutes charge with a price 10 times more expensive. Currently, there is 10% of the charging stations available — we are targeting a ratio of cars and charging stations of one to eight EV cars per station.”