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.