Electric vehicle sales are expected to increase in 2024 based on industry players’ confidence in the significant interest for these types of vehicles according to the Minister of International Trade and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
He was quoted by Bernama saying that in line with the sales figure of EV cars in 2023 which recorded a 200% jump compared to the previous year.
As of December 2023, Malaysia has recorded more than 100,000 registered electric vehicles.
He however emphasized that the projected increase in sales also depends on efforts to ensure the availability of other aspects that support the EV ecosystem.
Apart from the sale of EV cars, the thing that needs to be focused on at the moment is creating (more) charging stations for the vehicles.
Minister of International Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz
Explaining further, Tengku Zafrul said that Malaysia currently has more than 1,500 EV charging stations and that number needs to be increased, especially for those who live in high-rise residences or high-rise buildings, in addition to ensuring that there are no issues with long-distance driving.
Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul also informed that the allocation for the Electric Motorcycle Use Promotion Scheme (MARiiCas) which offers a rebate of up to RM2,400 for the purchase of the vehicle which was launched at the beginning of last December, has been fully used.
Accordingly, MITI will apply to the Ministry of Finance to continue the MARiiCas scheme and increase its allocation.
130 electric buses to be deployed in Selangor if TBE trial is successful
Meanwhile, as many as 130 electric buses will be deployed in phases in Selangor if trials are successful, Tengku Zafrul said.
He said on Facebook that two Tron Bradbury Energy (TBE) electric buses will start operating on a trial basis in Shah Alam starting in February.
No need to wait long. God willing, as early as February, two TBE electric buses will start operating on a trial basis in Shah Alam. If the test is successful, up to 130 buses will operate in phases throughout Selangor.
Minister of International Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz
Tengku Zafrul said in the same post that the government will continue to support and develop the local automotive industry. He added that the development of this industry can attract quality investment, increase trade and offer higher-paying jobs.
He was present during the launch of the TBE EV factory ceremony in Klang which he said is about to transform their assembly operation in the Port Klang Free Zone into a manufacturing facility for EVs such as buses, lorries and electric vans as well as BESS (Battery Energy Storage System).
The Miti minister added that TBE will also establish an R&D facility for batteries in Malaysia.
