International Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz launched the first Tesla Centre in Malaysia in Cyberjaya.
This comes after the opening of Tesla’s Superchargers in Pavilion KL and the launch of its Model Y and Model 3 in August.
In his opening speech, Tengku Zafrul said the government will look into making electric vehicle (EV) ownership affordable.
“As we look to the future and Budget 2024, our focus remains on inclusivity, aligning with the Madani Economic Framework,” Tengku Zafrul said.
“We aim to make EV ownership accessible to all, especially the B40 and M40 demographics, through targeted subsidies and financial assistance.”
He added that the government is ramping up efforts to expand and enhance the nation’s EV charging infrastructure, ensuring a seamless transition for all Malaysians.
“Our commitment to EV is evident in the strategic steps we have taken at the national level. Spearheaded by MITI, the National EV Task Force (NEVTF) plays a crucial role in shaping policies, overseeing programme implementations, and championing EV-related initiatives.
“This task force is a testament to the collaborative spirit, bringing together various ministries, government bodies, and key industry players.”
He hoped that by 2030, EVs will make up 15 per cent of the Total Industry Volume in Malaysia, going up to 38 per cent by 2040, and 80 per cent by 2050.
The government has taken a crucial step towards better coordination by elevating the NEVTF to the Cabinet-level National EV Steering Committee (NEVSC). This committee will address complex issues that span multiple ministries and ensure decisive, cohesive, decision-making.
“Partnerships between the public and private sectors, exemplified by the NEVTF and NEVSC, are essential,” he said.
“They drive the growth of Malaysia’s EV industry, support our economic aspirations, and the goal of achieving net-zero emissions.”
Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia has also started developing the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) in Tanjung Malim, Perak, as the country’s next-generation vehicle (NxGV) hub, covering the extensive automotive and mobility solutions value chain.
AHTV expects to attract a collective investment of RM32 billion from various parties. It is the only automotive cluster in Malaysia recognised as an NxGV, and Energy Efficient Vehicles hub.
“Our EV policy must also be in tandem with the recently launched New Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) 2030,” he said.
“There is no point having thousands of EVs on the road if we are not ‘greening our grid’ by developing more Renewable Energy (RE) sources.
“The NETR provides for, among others, accelerating investments in grid infrastructure and providing incentives for RE development,” he added.
