By Fatin Umairah Abdul Hamid
KUALA LUMPUR: The government should consider expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities in rural areas and introducing incentives for EV purchase in Budget 2027 that is scheduled to be tabled this October, said automotive industry practitioner, Mohd Khairull Anuar Ismail.
He said that when consumers think about purchasing an EV, they would also evaluate the country’s readiness in terms of available facilities, especially charging infrastructure.
“Our country has sufficient charging facilities in urban areas and along major highways. However, the number of charging stations in rural areas still needs to be increased.
“More attention should be given to charging facilities in rural areas to support the continued growth in EV usage,” he told BERNAMA after appearing as a guest on BERNAMA TV’s ‘Ruang Bicara’ programme titled ‘Malaysian Automotive: Strong Growth, New Challenges’ on Friday evening.
On the Malaysian Automotive Association’s recent revision of its 2026 total industry volume (TIV) forecast from 790,000 units to 800,000 units, Khairull Anuar said Malaysia has the potential to achieve the target depending on consumer demand and the financing facilities offered by financial institutions.
Asked which vehicle segment is expected to drive automotive sales growth, he said consumers currently seem to prefer compact vehicles, as they are more fuel-efficient and more practical for daily use compared with larger vehicles.
Regarding EVs, Khairull Anuar said charging costs that are lower than conventional fuel expenses and the availability of more advanced technology are among the key factors attracting consumer interest.
“These two factors are expected to continue driving consumer demand for vehicles, particularly EVs,” he added. – BERNAMA
