Malaysia, with one of the highest car ownership rates in Asia from
2015 to 2020, saw transport becoming the second-largest
contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Recognising
the urgency to address these environmental risks, the country has
taken bold steps to implement green mobility solutions,
particularly through substantial investments in the electric
vehicle (EV) sector.
Over the past five years,
the Malaysian Investment Development Authority approved 59
projects related to the EV ecosystem, worth RM26.2 billion,
focusing on vehicle assembly, manufacturing parts, and charging
components.
This significant investment is paying
off. In 2022 alone, EV sales surged to 11,642 units from just
3,079 the previous year. By mid-2023, Malaysia envisioned a
burgeoning EV ecosystem, bolstered by the nation's expertise
in electronic component manufacturing and development of EV
battery technology.
This promising growth has
attracted foreign businesses, with Tesla establishing its regional
headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, signalling robust support from the
Malaysian government for foreign EV enterprises.
Such
moves are spurring inbound investments, creating a competitive
market, and facilitating industrial knowledge transfer, crucial
for building national infrastructure that aligns with the
substantial adoption of EVs.
Mapping the road ahead
To accelerate its journey towards net zero
emissions, the Malaysian government released the National Energy
Transition Roadmap (NETR) 2023, which includes a comprehensive
vision for a low-carbon transportation system.
The
roadmap aims for 80% EV adoption and 90% locally manufactured EVs,
coupled with significant improvements in fuel efficiency by 2050.
Public and private partnerships are essential for this vision,
fostering dynamic research environments and innovative long-term
solutions.
The Government is committed to
enhancing policies and working closely with businesses to
facilitate their involvement in the green mobility landscape. This
collaborative spirit is exemplified by Gentari’s
initiatives.
Since our establishment in 2022,
Gentari has proudly contributed to Malaysia’s sustainable
transportation and green mobility goals.
As the
leading charging point (CP) operator and a licensed CP operator,
we have expanded the charging infrastructure network across all
regions, ensuring seamless connectivity over distances exceeding
100 km. Our commitment aligns with the nation’s ambitions,
positioning us among the key players in supporting the NETR
2023.
By integrating smart technology and
automation, Gentari is here and ready to put forth the #NextStep
with our customers and partners in Malaysia and the region,
driving the transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable
transportation future.
Driven by the mission to
change how we live today and help secure our future, we are
dedicated to turning clean energy into action and enhancing EV
efficiency. Such efforts have been a testament to Gentari’s
significant contribution to Malaysia’s green mobility
objectives.
Early performance results have been
encouraging, highlighting the importance of private sector
engagement in achieving national decarbonisation goals. To ensure
consumer adoption and create a substantial impact on green
mobility, the Malaysian government has introduced incentives to
boost EV uptake in the domestic market.
Notably,
tax exemptions for Completely Knocked Down (CKD) EVs and
individual tax incentives for EV buyers have significantly lowered
ownership costs, making EVs more affordable.
Since
early 2022, EV component manufacturers and companies offering EVs
as a service, such as Gentari’s Vehicle-as-a-Service, have
also benefited from tax exemptions on imports, excise and sales.
These measures aim to attract more EV producers to establish their
hubs and develop the domestic EV assembly industry.
Moving forward
With these policies in place, Malaysia is demonstrating its
commitment to green mobility and establishing national standards
for sustainable urban transport development. The country
is poised to integrate smart technology and automation, enhancing
EV efficiency with upgraded facilities supporting the green
system.
Anchored by the NETR 2023, Malaysia is
set to achieve its ambitious goal of cultivating a sustainable
transportation ecosystem leading to a future of net zero emissions
and positioning the nation as a regional hub for EV manufacturing,
assembly and exports.
With the current innovative
initiatives, Malaysia is setting an example for other nations
striving towards a low-carbon future.