5 Reasons To Get Or Not To Get Yourself An EV In Malaysia

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Are you considering getting an electric vehicle (EV) in Malaysia? Here’s a quick, balanced look at what’s actually working in EV owners’ favour right now, and what might make you think twice.

5 reasons to get an EV

1. Lower running costs

Home charging costs roughly RM0.50/kWh, compared to petrol, which can add up to significant savings if you can charge overnight. EVs are also generally cheaper to service and maintain than petrol cars.

2. Tax relief is still available

To encourage more EV use, tax relief for EV owners was introduced during Budget 2022. EV owners can claim up to RM2,500 in income tax relief for home-charger installation, valid until assessment year 2027. Import duty and sales-tax exemptions for locally assembled (CKD) EVs also continue through 2027.

3. More affordable local EVs are available

The locally assembled Proton e.MAS 5 was launched in October 2025, and prices start from RM56,800. Currently, it’s Malaysia’s cheapest credible EV option.

4. Cheaper road tax for EV

From January 2026, EVs pay a new kW-based road tax that’s about 85% cheaper than an equivalent ICE car, even though the old 100% exemption has expired.

5. Growing home-charging incentives

JomCharge has a Night Saver plan that offers 15% off charging between midnight and 7am, which makes charging at home even cheaper than it already is. There are also government grants to help cover the cost of installing a home charger.

5 reasons not to get an EV

1. No more free road tax

The 100% road-tax exemption for EVs ended in 2025. It’s not a full deal breaker, but starting January 2026, EV owners now pay a discounted road tax.

2. Imported EV models (CBU) got more expensive

CBU exemptions on import duty, excise, and sales tax ended on 31 December 2025. This means brands like Tesla, most BYD models, Porsche, and Volvo are priced pretty high compared to CKD models.

3. Public fast-charging is expensive

If you don’t have a home charger, you may not save as much. Public DC fast charging costs RM1.40 to RM1.80/kWh vs about RM0.50/kWh at home. If you live in an apartment or condo without dedicated parking and chargers, the cost advantage shrinks a lot.

4. It’s a lifestyle change, and habits play a role

Having an EV requires a lifestyle change, and there’ll be an adjustment period. Your life can revolve around the charging needs of the car, especially if you travel for longer hours. Habits-wise, some owners default to DC fast charging for convenience, and this might affect long-term savings.

5. EV policy is still shifting

EV incentives in Malaysia used to be generous across the board, but now they’re narrower and favour locally-assembled cars. Two changes drove this: The 2026 road tax update, and the end of tax breaks for imported (CBU) EVs. If you’re considering an imported model or one that isn’t built locally yet, be aware that more changes could come and affect resale value or future costs. It’s worth checking with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) for road tax rates or the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics, and IoT Institute (MARii) for the latest EV policy and industry updates before you buy.

In conclusion, EVs remain a good choice financially if you can charge at home and are looking at locally-assembled models like the Proton e.MAS. However, if you’re set on an imported model or don’t have home-charging access, the deal isn’t as good as it was a year or two ago.

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5 Reasons To Get Or Not To Get Yourself An EV In Malaysia
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