2024 saw nearly one-third increase in electrified car sales, says Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR: Last year saw a 30.4% increase in electric-powered vehicle (xEV) sales compared to 2023, which made up 5% of total passenger vehicles registered, says the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI).

Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said this comprised 46,239 units while battery electric (BEV) passenger vehicles use specifically increased significantly from 256 to 38,369 units last year.

“Based on the 2023-2024 trends, the government expects the cumulative number of xEVs on the road to reach at least 400,000 passenger and commercial vehicles by 2030,” he said in a written parliamentary response to Chong Chieng Jen (PH-Stampin) yesterday.

Chong had asked about the government’s plans to promote the sale and use of electric cars and its targets.

xEV includes hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric vehicles (BEV), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV).

Tengku Zaful said that the government had set total annual sale targets for passenger and commercial xEV to reach 20% by 2030, 50% by 2040 and 80% by 2050.

In another response to Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (PH-Tebrau), he said that as of Dec 31, 2024, the registered xEV vehicles in Malaysia have reached a total of 119,000 units.

As for EV charging facilities, 3,611 units are available for the public, including 1,095 DC chargers and 2,516 AC chargers.

“The government has also maintained the target to provide 10,000 EV charging facilities by 2025, comprising 8,500 AC chargers and 1,500 DC chargers,” he said.

To encourage the purchase of BEVs, tax incentives have been introduced to reduce costs for users, he added.

“There is the full exemption of import and excise duties for imported completely built-up (CBU) until Dec 31, 2025.

“Also full exemption of import, excise and sales taxes for BEVs manufactured locally for six years until Dec 31, 2027,” he said.

He added that the implementation of targeted RON95 petrol subsidies starting mid-2025 could also catalyse a consumer shift to xEVs.