MAA wants more hybrid incentives: long-term policies for new investments, not short bursts like before

MAA wants more hybrid incentives: long-term policies for new investments, not short bursts like before

The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) will continue to engage with the government on incentives for hybrid vehicles. This is to support the government’s target of having electrified vehicles (xEVs), which include both hybrids and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), make up 50% of new car sales by 2040.

“As far as the MAA is concerned, we want to continue to advocate the need and necessity of hybrid vehicles for the government to consider,” said MAA president Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain during a press conference following the association’s recent media briefing.

“If you remember, I think in 2014 when we first introduced (locally-assembled) hybrids, there was a big surge (in demand) and after two years, everything start dropping again. In order for our industry to continue growing, the momentum should be longer because that’s where we will be able to have a more significant market before any investments are considered. So, a short burst of volume is difficult for any principal to plan long-term production of expansion,” he added.

Over a decade ago, the government discontinued tax incentives for fully-imported (CBU) hybrid and BEVs as part of the National Automotive Policy 2014. However, hybrids and EVs that were locally assembled (CKD) in Malaysia continued to enjoy tax breaks until December 31, 2017.

MAA wants more hybrid incentives: long-term policies for new investments, not short bursts like before

MAA was already pushing for the tax breaks to be extended for CKD electrified vehicles in 2014, which also saw the introduction of Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEVs), a programme that provided customised incentives to carmakers that locally assembled vehicles that met defined specifications in terms of carbon emission level (g/km) and fuel consumption (l/100 km).

The EEV programme has affected the pricing of CKD cars, including hybrids, although not to the degree of being tax-free in the past. In recent times, the MAA proposed new incentives for all types of xEVs, including hybrids, rather than just battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Looking at the data, sales of hybrid vehicles have increased from 7,875 units in 2021 to 19,988 units in 2022 and to 28,055 units in 2023. Last year saw a nearly 10% increase from 2023 to 30,796 units, which is about 67% of all xEV sales in Malaysia (BEVs made up 14,766 units). The MAA expects stronger demand for electrified vehicles with the impending RON 95 petrol subsidy rationalisation.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard's strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Yes, hybrid is more suitable for most ppl.

    EV is a good option to development country manufacturing etc, job..

    Dont forget our power grid is driven by 70% coal power generator…

    Please get us more hybrid is good price. that more practical for Malaysia situation.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 3
  • Proton oh Proton on Jan 22, 2025 at 2:48 pm

    finally someone voice out Hybrid incentives. Not everyone ready for EV.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 21
    • But more people are happily driving EV especially charging at home

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
    • But many people are now accepting EV especially also seeing that Proton eMas is now in high demand

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Peppa on Jan 22, 2025 at 7:31 pm

    Why is every single government around the world freaking stupid?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Gov should think, hybrid cars are 30% more efficient then their own non hybrid twins (same model to same model)

    if there’s a mass usage of hybrids total national fuel usage will go down by 20-30%

    Meaning the gov no need to subsidised for the 20-30% fuel saved for the country. Imagine there’s a axia and Myvi that can do 3.0L/100km consistently

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Elwen on Jan 23, 2025 at 12:28 pm

    Thumbs up for MAA this time

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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