Malaysia must accelerate charging infrastructure to drive EV adoption, minister says
By Eve
Malaysia's Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has called for a comprehensive EV ecosystem that includes an adequate network of public charging stations, local technology development and a skilled workforce. Speaking at the line off ceremony for Proton's e.MAS 7 PHEV at the Tanjung Malim assembly plant on 31 July, Johari emphasised that EV industry development should not focus solely on vehicle sales. Proton has achieved up to 82 per cent localisation on certain models, with the new PHEV offering 1,100 kilometres of travel distance.
Why it matters: The ministerial statement signals that Malaysia's government recognises charging infrastructure as a critical enabler for EV uptake, potentially opening procurement opportunities for CPOs and equipment suppliers. With Proton ramping up PHEV production and achieving high localisation rates, demand for domestic charging networks is likely to grow alongside vehicle rollout.