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EV Cars in Malaysia 2026 — Models, Incentives & Charging

· Roda Editorial · Updated

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Electric vehicles (EVs) are now sold in Malaysia by national and foreign brands, both as locally assembled (CKD) and imported (CBU) models. 2026 brought changes that affect what an EV costs to buy and to keep: the road tax exemption ended, and the tax exemption for imported EVs was not extended. This guide explains the incentives that apply as of October 2026, charging at home and in public, and what to check on a used EV.

Incentives and rates change with each Budget. Check the Ministry of Finance, JPJ, LHDN and MITI for the current position before you buy.

Types of electric car

  • Battery electric (BEV): runs only on electricity from its battery. This guide is mostly about BEVs.
  • Plug-in hybrid (PHEV): a petrol engine plus a battery you can charge. See our hybrid guide.
  • Hybrid (HEV): charged by the engine and braking, no plug.

Tax and duty, as of October 2026

Imported (CBU) EVs

Budget 2023 set the import and excise duty exemption for imported EVs to run until 31 December 2025. The Ministry of Finance's Fiscal Outlook 2026 refers to the removal of the excise duty exemption on CBU EVs from 2026. MITI has also set conditions for CBU EVs, including a minimum price policy that it said in March 2026 was under review. Check MITI's latest statement for the current conditions.

Locally assembled (CKD) EVs

Exemptions for locally assembled EVs, covering import duty on components and excise and sales tax, run until the end of 2027, according to Budget 2023 and the Fiscal Outlook 2027.

Road tax

EVs were exempt from road tax from 2022 to the end of 2025. From 1 January 2026, road tax for battery electric and fuel cell vehicles is based on the motor's power output in kilowatts (kW), not engine capacity. Under the structure announced by the Transport Minister in June 2024, the lowest band, for lower-powered EVs, ranges from RM20 to RM70, and more powerful EVs pay more. Check JPJ for your EV's exact rate. See road tax renewal online.

Income tax relief for charging

LHDN allows individual tax relief of up to RM2,500 for expenses on EV charging facilities for personal use, from year of assessment 2022 to 2027. This covers buying, installing, renting or hire-purchasing a charger, and subscription fees. The same relief item is shared with another category under the Income Tax Act, so check LHDN's public ruling for the conditions.

Number plates

EVs registered from 9 September 2024 must use JPJ's ePlate. See our number plate guide.

Charging

At home

Home charging is the cheapest and most convenient way to run an EV if you have a private parking spot.

  • A wall-mounted charger (wallbox) is faster and safer than a portable cable plugged into an ordinary socket.
  • Have it installed by a qualified electrician, and check whether your home's electrical supply needs an upgrade.
  • If you live in a condominium or apartment, ask the management about rules for installing chargers in the car park.

In public

The Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint 2021–2030 set a target of 10,000 public charging points by 2025. In July 2026, MITI told Parliament that Malaysia had 6,416 public chargers as of 31 May 2026, of which 2,143 were DC fast chargers. Charging networks use their own apps and pricing. Before you buy, check the chargers along your regular routes and near your home and workplace.

  • AC chargers are slower and suit long stops, such as at a mall or office.
  • DC fast chargers are for shorter stops on long trips.

Buying a used EV

  1. Battery health. Ask for a battery state-of-health report from the brand's service centre. Range when new is not range today.
  2. Battery warranty. EV batteries often have a separate warranty from the rest of the car. Check the brand's official site for the terms and whether they transfer to the next owner.
  3. Charging equipment. Ask whether the portable cable and any wallbox are included.
  4. Software and recalls. Ask the brand's service centre whether updates and recall work have been done.
  5. Tyres and suspension. EVs are heavy. Check tyre wear and listen for knocks from the suspension.
  6. Imported EVs. For a recond or grey import, check how it will be serviced, and whether its charging connector works with local chargers.
  7. Road tax. Look up the motor's kW rating so you know the road tax band.

Then follow the usual steps: inspection, loan settlement and the JPJ ownership transfer.

Is an EV right for you?

An EV suits you if you can charge at home or at work, your daily driving is within the car's range with a margin, and the chargers you need are on your routes. If you drive long distances to places with few chargers, compare a hybrid as well.

Browse cars on Roda and filter by fuel type to see electric models in new cars and used cars.

Sources

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