BMW Group Malaysia has worked together with the Malaysia Zero Emission Vehicle Association (MyZEVA), a non-governmental organization, to present several insights into the current state of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country.
According to data provided by MyZEVA, 27,382 (EVs) have been registered in Malaysia from 2021 to June 2024, with the figure inclusive of 17,244 units registered online via the road transport department (JPJ).
In Peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest number of EV registrations at 5,271 units, followed by Selangor (1,544 units), Penang (815 units), Johor (657 units), Perak (351 units), Kedah (181 units), Melaka (177 units) and Negeri Sembilan (116 units).
States that saw less than 100 EV registrations include Pahang (45 units), Kelantan (23 units), Terengganu (12 units) and Perlis (11 units), while the federal territory of Putrajaya only saw one EV being registered. In East Malaysia, Sabah leads Sarawak in terms of EV registrations with 326 units compared to 268 units, while Labuan has 22 units registered.
The data also revealed a significant increase in EV registrations after the Malaysian government announced incentives during the tabling of Budget 2022 in October 2021. Last year saw 13,266 EVs registered, which is over four times the number of units registered in 2022.
The number of EV charging bays have also gone up yearly in parallel with EV adoption. Based on MEVnet (Malaysia Electric Vehicle Charging Network) data by the department of town and country planning (PLANMalaysia) and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC), as of June 2024, there are 2,606 EV charging bays in Malaysia.
Selangor leads the way with the most EV charging bays at 876, which is followed by Kuala Lumpur (674), Penang (281), Johor (256) and Pahang (101). States and federal territories that have less than 10 EV charging bays include Putrajaya (9), Sabah (9), Perlis and Labuan (0).
On the matter of EV ownership experience, the data revealed compared how much it would cost to run a BMW X1 and iX1, which are models that share the same platform and body, but with differing powertrains.
Assuming it was RM3.40 per litre of RON 97 petrol and 70 litres is required to travel 1,000 km, the cost of fuelling an X1 with an internal combustion engine is RM238. By comparison, an iX1 requires 147 kWh of energy to travel the same distance, and with public charging at RM1.50 per kWh (available at certain charging stations), it would only cost RM220.50.
Extending the comparison to home charging which is cheaper at RM0.57 per kWh if referring to Tenaga Nasional’s highest domestic tariff, the cost of a 1,000 km trip is RM83.79, or 65% less than an X1 refuelling at a petrol station.
According to MyZEVA, 80% of EV owners prefer to charge at home while 20% use public charging. It’s also mentioned that maintaining an EV is simpler than a car with an internal combustion engine due to no need for oil changes and fewer moving parts.
The report also highlighted the feasibility of EVs for interstate travels, with the iX1 xDrive30 and MINI Countryman SE All4 having range WLTP range figures enough to make trips from Kuala Lumpur to Penang (330 km away), Johor (331 km away) and Kuantan (250 km away) without needing to recharge along the way.
Of course, while EVs are plenty capable based on what’s been presented, there are still some that are apprehensive about making the switch for various reasons relating to their lifestyle. For one, recharging an EV may be cheaper than refuelling, but the former typically takes more time even with fast charging. On top of that, finding EV charging bays that aren’t occupied and working upon arrival for a top up can be a challenge and can result in additional time spent waiting or finding another spot.
Given all the data and insights provided by the report, would you make the switch to an EV? Share your thoughts on the matter with us in the comments below.
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Don’t think those bmw owner are pumping 97…
Exactly. Even X5 drivers pump 95. Forget about X1 drivers pumping 97. Clearly this is a marketing research to promote EVs
Rate of new EV is higher than rate of new charging station from 2023 to 2024. Can I say EV will concentrate in towns, especially Klang Valley? We are running out of land and build more and more condominiums. You know what I want to mean.
At the moment, EV suitable for city use. For long distance prefer ICE. If EV used during festival season e.g. Raya or CNY, will have problem because traffic jam is worst.
When you have to make them look good on paper… And yes, why pump 97 when 95 is good enough.
I have an BMW iX. Tyre change at 12,000-15,000km at RM2,000 per piece. Any savings you make on fuel is wiped out completely and then some by tire costs.
Having said that, it’s quiet, comfortable, fast and an overall better car than an X5e (problems no end). I charge at home so no trips to petrol station for 24 months, first service done last month (2 years) and one unplanned trip to service centre due to mice chewing up wires that was repaired for free.
Plenty of flaws in the assumptions…
RON97? It is just intentionally to inflate the fuel cost assumption in this study..
Where is the cost of installing wall charging port at home?
EV tires cost more since EVs are heavy.
In the long run and did not factor in depreciation value?
Bunch of BS studies just to brain wash ppl..