{"id":32563,"date":"2023-02-22T01:54:04","date_gmt":"2023-02-21T17:54:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carsome.my\/news\/item\/cost-of-owning-ev-in-malaysia"},"modified":"2024-04-05T14:06:45","modified_gmt":"2024-04-05T06:06:45","slug":"cost-of-owning-ev-in-malaysia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carsome.my\/news\/item\/cost-of-owning-ev-in-malaysia","title":{"rendered":"The Cost of Owning & Driving an EV in Malaysia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are all the craze as the future of green transportation. What’s not to love about electric vehicles? They’re better for the environment, they’re cheaper to operate, and they’re just plain cool. Automakers are all putting their chips in \u200celectric vehicle technology, and it’s only a matter of time before EVs are the dominant force in the automotive market. The <\/span>International Energy Agency (IEA)<\/span><\/a> predicts that by 2030, 60% of the vehicles sold globally will be electric, and demand for built-in home chargers will surge drastically.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As of to date, EVs are still in their infancy stage with only a handful of models available in the Malaysian market. The high cost of entry is still a turnoff for a lot of consumers, but as battery technology continues to improve and costs continue to fall, it’s only a matter of time before EVs are the new normal. If you\u2019re looking to make the jump from an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle to an EV, this short and simple guide will help you crunch some numbers on the ownership of one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Initial Cost<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"TeslasThe hefty initial cost of EVs currently brands itself as toys for the rich. Nonetheless, to encourage more people to buy EVs in Malaysia, the government has extended the exemption of import duties on CBU electric vehicles till 2024 and is offering a rebate of up to RM30,000 for locally assembled EVs. However, even the cheapest EV offered in the market, the 2022 Ora Good Cat costs under RM140K. In contrast, there is a myriad of other petrol-powered cars on the market to choose from, with some economy cars going for much less than that. But what about the road tax? Are EVs subjected to road taxes even if they don\u2019t run on a single drop of oil?<\/span><\/p>\n

How is Road Tax Calculated for EVs<\/span><\/h3>\n

Is road tax for EVs cheaper than ICE cars in Malaysia? As we all know, road taxes for ICE cars are calculated using <\/span>cubic centimeters (CC)<\/span><\/a>. For EVs, on the other hand, it is calculated by <\/span>kilowatt (kW) output<\/span><\/a>. Here\u2019s a table we compiled from JPJ\u2019s data.<\/span><\/p>\n

For <\/span>company and privately owned saloons (sedans)<\/b> with a power output of 80 kW and below:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Motor Output<\/b><\/td>\nRates<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
50 kW and below<\/span><\/td>\nRM 20<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Above 50 kW to 60 kW<\/span><\/td>\nRM 44<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Above 60 kW to 70 kW<\/span><\/td>\nRM 56<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Above 70 kW to 80 kW<\/span><\/td>\nRM 72<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

It\u2019s quite simple for cars with under \u200c80 kW of output. However, for higher-powered cars above 80 kW, a base rate and a progressive rate of 0.05 kW from the base output are imposed into the road tax\u2019s calculations:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Output<\/b><\/td>\nBase Rate<\/b><\/td>\nProgressive Rate<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
80 – 90 kW<\/span><\/td>\nRM 160<\/span><\/td>\nRM 0.32 for every 0.05 kW increase from 80 kW<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
90 – 100 kW<\/span><\/td>\nRM 224<\/span><\/td>\nRM 0.25 for every 0.05 kW increase from 90 kW<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
100 – 125 kW<\/span><\/td>\nRM 274<\/span><\/td>\nRM 0.50 for every 0.05 kW increase from 100 kW<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
125 – 150 kW<\/span><\/td>\nRM 524<\/span><\/td>\nRM1.00 for every 0.05 kW increase from 125 kW<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Above 150 kW<\/span><\/td>\nRM 1024<\/span><\/td>\nRM1,024, and RM1.35 for every 0.05 kW increase from 150 kW<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Recharging<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"OneRefueling and <\/span>recharging<\/span><\/a> are other concerns for ICE cars and EVs. Petrol cars refuel in just a few minutes, while EVs may take around 20 minutes to reach full charge with a DC (direct current) fast charger. In addition, unlike ICE cars, EV batteries need meticulous care, as we\u2019ll explain below. But first, it is important to understand the types of EV chargers out there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read More: How to Charge Your EV in Malaysia<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Alternating Current Charging (AC)\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"OneAC charging is the most common type of charging for EVs and is often referred to as <\/span>Level 1 or Level 2 charging<\/span><\/a>. Level 1 charging can be done via a standard household electrical outlet in your home and would take around 8 to 20 hours to reach a full charge depending on your vehicle\u2019s battery size. Level 2 charging, on the other hand, uses a dedicated 240-volt outlet and can take anywhere from four to eight hours to reach a full charge. \u200cAC charging may be a convenient choice; however, the limitations of an AC charger would require the installation of a dedicated charging outlet at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to <\/span>Carput<\/span><\/a>, installing such a device would cost around RM3,000 \u2013 RM5,000 for a 7kW and RM5,000 \u2013 RM7,900 for a 22kW one excluding the labor costs to install and the renovations required to upgrade from a single-phase to a <\/span>three-phase wiring system<\/span><\/a> if your house does not have the necessary infrastructure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"InstallingFurthermore, a dedicated charging outlet can only be installed in a landed house. This option is <\/span>not available<\/span><\/a> if you\u2019re staying in an apartment in Malaysia, as the decision to install an EV charger is up to the apartment developer or management body. AC charging may be slow, but it’s the best way to preserve the lifespan of your battery, unlike DC charging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n