GreenTech Malaysia looks to Tesla Motors in bid promote awareness on electric vehicles in the country

Tesla_Najib_04

In its bid to raise awareness on the presence of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country, Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia) has turned to what is arguably one of the most popular manufacturers of EVs at the moment, Tesla Motors. However, let’s get one very important note out of the way first – you cannot buy a Tesla just yet, at least not in the foreseeable future.

See, GreenTech Malaysia will be looking to run a leasing programme whereby units of the Tesla Model S will be brought in and offered exclusively to government-linked companies (GLCs) on a two-year lease scheme. According to The Star, Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) minister, Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, hopes that the programme will eventually lead to Malaysia becoming a leader in the EV technology sector.

Tesla Model S Malaysia-2

“GreenTech Malaysia has brought in two Tesla Model S cars for research and development,” he told members of the media recently. The two vehicles mentioned are that of the Tesla Model S 85 variety – we’ve since had an exclusive preview of the car, of which you can read more about here. GreenTech Malaysia is looking to have a total of 110 units throughout the entire span of the leasing programme.

As for the bigger picture, it was recently reported that findings from the Malaysian Green Tech­nology and Climate Change Council meeting, which was chaired by the Prime Minister, indicated that further discussions were still required to ensure investor commitments as well as the notion of more EVs being introduced.

GALLERY: Tesla Model S 85 in Malaysia

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Gregory Sze

An “actor” by training, Gregory Sze realised that he has had enough of drama in his life. Following his number one passion (acting was actually number two), he decided to make the jump into the realm of automotive journalism. He appreciates the simple things in life – a simple car with nothing but back-to-basics mechanical engineering and minimal electronics on board.

 

Comments

  • sick&tired on Nov 06, 2015 at 11:17 am

    Jibby, where is rosie?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 0
    • Songlap Songlap Malaysia on Nov 06, 2015 at 11:29 am

      Another method for Najib to Songlap more money now besides his Rm2.6 billion and the many other times the tupai did not get caught songlapping

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 1
      • See to VSC and Airbags First on Nov 06, 2015 at 3:30 pm

        Malaysia’s NAP is just to benefit the AP holders. The last few NAP has been pure bull. the hero Madani keeps on spewing bull and false directions.

        How we want to do EV? Even clean diesel and petrol also don’t have. Even basic safety like VSC and ABS also many cars don’t have.

        That is basic. Basic pun tak ada, you want to be HERO and do EV kah? Until today, Saga and Myvi got no ABS, VSC and even functional airbags

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
      • RM55 Million Songlap on Nov 06, 2015 at 3:33 pm

        One Tesla Car is Rm500k and above. Malaysia want to have 110 Tesla cars in the study? So, there already RM55million will Songlap

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
    • fast5 on Nov 06, 2015 at 11:37 am

      Where the 2.6 bintang? Mana 2.6 bintang?… And the picture of him makes me sick

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 0
    • Same L0rrrr on Nov 06, 2015 at 11:40 am

      No more hybrid tax free but wanna bring in Tesla? How silly!

      Hybrid tax free benefits everyone? no need continue

      Tesla comfort the government officers and cronies? Come in Come in.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 0
  • Proton Hybrid/ EV Where? on Nov 06, 2015 at 11:23 am

    Proton suck billions of our LHDN money every year. Every year they bull to the Government got hybrid lah, Got EV lah, Got car that can run on kencing la.

    But where are the cars? Hybrid also waiting now more than 7 years. EV iriz just drama show recently but will only come on 2030

    this leasing scheme is just another way Government trying to rob Malaysians. Tesla cars are super expensive. To lease these cars, going to cost a bomb using tax payer money.

    By the way Tesla patents are FREE. Why don’t Proton or Malaysia use the patents to build a car?

    Instead of using Green Tech to sapu money from the Government?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 35 Thumb down 2
    • wiwiwiwiw on Nov 06, 2015 at 11:42 am

      I agree. Soon there will be green teal petronas shirts demonstration in front of KLCC saying that Tesla S is a threat to the country because it doesn’t use gasoline! Hahaha

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
      • The F12 of Maranello on Jun 03, 2017 at 10:44 pm

        Not really because our electricity uses gasoline…

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Najis Razak test drive, use part of his 2.6billion > buys a tesla

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Madani Sahari MAI apa jadi? on Nov 06, 2015 at 11:25 am

    Another bullshit story to perah more money from the Government coffers. MAI and Madani, apa sudah jadi dengan EV and Hybrid?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • This green tech company is stupid…research and development konon tu

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • Pak Maun on Nov 06, 2015 at 11:58 am

    Promote awareness is not enough. To be a leader in EV, Malaysia government should give incentive for local automotive manufacturer to mass produce the EV. Otherwise, the Malaysian made EV will just become dream and not become reality.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Namasaya on Nov 06, 2015 at 12:02 pm

    Tesla brand is stained when the most corrupted person sits on it

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 0
  • applegreen on Nov 06, 2015 at 12:02 pm

    They can try but they should know our government not seriously committed for any green/eev vehicles for safer environment. Ron97 with euro4 is so expensive, eev/hybrid cars also expensive.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • kenneth Fook on Nov 06, 2015 at 12:20 pm

    Clown on a tesla. Tesla latest marketing campaign.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  • Firstly, In this day and age, you do not need a half-baked, Taxpayer funded, quasi-Government helmed by equally incompetent simpletons, to lease electric cars to GLC? guess who are the target audience for the cars, Half Baked GLC CEO, who practically don’t pay a dime for their transport, as it is paid for by the company. If the government is really serious about Hybrid and EV, come out with clear cut incentive scheme, with economically viable tax-break periods, for manufacturers to set up shop here and build there wares. Penang already has existing eco-system for electronics/semiconductor, electrical auto part OEMs, vital ingredients for Hybrid and EV manufacturer. Possibly could even extend the eco-system to Kedah and Perak, with dedicated FTZs for Hybrid/EV part or car manufacture, similar to MSC status framework….But alas, neither the ruling elitist nor the appointed Gov agencies are really serious about growing the Hybrid/EV auto industry, but just content in putting up such side show and earning their ‘commissions’…just bear in mind, among the world’s largest Hybrid battery manufacturer is BYD, based in Shenzhen China, which by the way, also houses among the world’s largest electronics component manufacturing companies and electronic component trading market…bottom line, we are outmatched and outgunned, but yet still living in denial…..a pity really…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • FIST (Member) on Nov 06, 2015 at 12:48 pm

    No need further awareness, people already know your songlap, tax evasion and abuse of people fund

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • drMpower on Nov 06, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    this is where they get it right but implementing it wrong way
    they want malaysians to be real with EVs, why cant they let EVs get into malaysia with attractive tax structure?
    if the leaf is available at 80k i am very sure it will sell well. yes it will cut into some conventional motor market but the users have to bit as well as EVs are also having some shortcomings like the batteries and range of travelling

    but the effect will be profound, compare to a leasing scheme involving only glcs. edra global wouldnt give a daymn on this. they are getting some billions

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Orange on Nov 06, 2015 at 1:48 pm

    The only thing I can see coming out of this is a new face joining the other crazies doing 160 in the passing lane.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • TopsyBoXyTurvy on Nov 06, 2015 at 2:14 pm

    “Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, hopes that the programme will eventually lead to Malaysia becoming a leader in the EV technology sector.”
    Leasing some electric cars to GLCs will make malaysia a leader in the ev tech sector?? Inilah menteri menteri yang pandai (cakap dan makan karipap) di malaysia. Jiran jiran kita dah lama on track lah, abang…..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Aero (Member) on Nov 06, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    The EV industry is dominated by the first world/ high-income/ developed nations. The EV industry is a rich man’s game. Aside from China presently, there are no other developing countries out there with a respectable EV industry (that is R&D, mass production, exports, consumer adoption rate, nationwide network coverage and more).

    Malaysia can’t compete, we still don’t have a mass produced EV model (but hopefully, it will materialise with the very promising Iriz EV), and we still don’t even have a single CKD plant assembling EV models, only Hybrids. Hybrid cars are from the last decade, EVs are for the present. Even if we have the EV technology, the market here is too small, we will have to rely on exports to these first world countries. And thus, our EV technology must be able to hold its own among the industry’s best.

    If you really understand the full picture, you’ll realize how far behind we really are. I personally believe that by the time we establish a respectable EV industry, the ‘next big thing’ would render EVs obsolete, just like how our tiny Hybrid car industry is already obsolete today. We should just focus on petrol cars for now, because we cannot afford to gamble with EV technology as it will DEFINITELY become obsolete in as little as 10 or 20 years. Batteries are not renewable, they are not ‘the ultimate solution’, just a stopgap.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Ootai on Nov 07, 2015 at 6:06 am

    Next year, can we read the auditor’s general report on MAI?? Of course, after the report, with the current dudes, nothing change.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • observer on Nov 07, 2015 at 4:46 pm

    any mild mention of government, and all the oppo cybertroopers come out. they don’t comment on all the other stories… hmmm

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Sammy Loo on Nov 13, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    whats the point of promoting green technology where government removed the tax exemption first for the CBU cars on 2013 and after that for CKD at the end of 2015?

    It makes no sense!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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