Key facts
- Malaysian electric vehicle sales more than doubled in the first half of 2026.
- EVs have overtaken hybrid vehicles in sales for the first time in Malaysia.
- The surge in EV demand has led to an increased full-year forecast for the auto industry.
- Total EV, hybrid, and battery electric vehicle units sold in Malaysia in 2024 were 46,403.
- New car sales in Malaysia reached 816,747 units in 2024, a record high.
- The National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2020 is being reviewed to include new technologies.
Electric vehicle sales in Malaysia have more than doubled in the first half of 2026, surpassing hybrid vehicles for the first time. This significant shift in consumer preference has prompted an upward revision of the local auto industry's full-year sales forecast.
In 2024, a total of 46,403 electric, hybrid, and battery electric vehicles were sold in Malaysia, an increase from 35,723 units in the previous year. Malaysia's Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong attributed the rise in EV sales, particularly battery electric vehicles (BEVs), to the ongoing development of charging infrastructure across the country. He also noted that total new car sales in Malaysia reached a record 816,747 units in 2024, positioning the country second in the ASEAN passenger vehicle market.
The National Automotive Policy (NAP) 2020 is currently undergoing an in-depth mid-term review by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute. This review aims to incorporate new technologies, including EVs and energy-efficient vehicles, and ensure the policy aligns with market needs and global technological advancements. The goal of NAP 2020 is to establish Malaysia as a technology and innovation-driven regional automotive hub.