Malaysia’s EV import curbs to protect local car sector criticised for inconsistency

Malaysia’s nascent electric vehicle market may be decimated before it gets up to speed, as business experts warn of a sharp drop in demand and delay in the renewable energy transition if the government imposes strict price curbs on imported units from July, in a move to protect the country’s vehicle makers.The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) on Wednesday announced that from July 1, it will only allow the sale of imported EVs that have a cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value of at least 200,000 ringgit (US$51,000) and a minimum power output of 180kW.The move effectively bars the sale of the vast majority of imported EVs – predominantly Chinese marques – from Malaysia’s market once the policy kicks in, although an exception is granted for existing stocks and units in transit.