Is Malaysia’s EV Charging Network Ready for the Future?

The State of EV Adoption in Malaysia: A Rapidly Shifting Landscape

Malaysia is accelerating its transition to electric mobility, driven by global trends and strong national ambitions under the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint 2021-2030 and the National Energy Transition Roadmap. The government’s target to have 15% of total industry volume (TIV) in EVs by 2030 underscores the urgency to build a reliable, scalable, and efficient EV charging network in Malaysia. However, the real question remains: Is Malaysia’s EV charging infrastructure truly ready for the future?

EV Charging Infrastructure in Malaysia: Key Players and Current Landscape

The EV charging station ecosystem in Malaysia comprises a mix of government agencies, private companies, and utility providers. Prominent stakeholders include:

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) – Malaysia’s primary utility provider, working closely with other partners to ensure the electrical grid is prepared for EV integration.
Shell Recharge, Gentari, and ChargEV – Offering DC fast charging and AC charging solutions across key urban and transit locations.
JomCharge and EV Connection – Focused on expanding public charging access nationwide.

As of early 2025, Malaysia hosts over 2,000 public EV charging points, with plans to grow this to 10,000 by 2025 under the EV Industry Development Plan (EVIDP). However, the geographical distribution of these chargers remains skewed, with the Klang Valley region receiving the majority of installations while rural and intercity highways lag behind.

Urban vs Rural: The Charging Divide

One of the most pressing challenges is the urban-rural imbalance in EV infrastructure. Urban areas like Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Penang are seeing fast growth in Level 2 AC and DC fast chargers, but rural towns and remote areas face minimal access.

This discrepancy creates range anxiety, particularly for inter-state travelers. The PLUS Expressway, a major corridor connecting the north and south of Peninsular Malaysia, has received some attention with strategically located fast chargers at R&R stops, yet gaps still exist between charging points.

A future-ready charging network must ensure equitable access across all regions. Government incentives need to prioritize expansion into underserved zones and intercity highway routes to foster seamless travel for EV users.

Types of EV Chargers and Their Availability

There are three primary types of EV chargers in Malaysia:

AC Slow Chargers (Type 2, 3.7kW – 22kW) – Mostly found in homes, offices, and shopping malls. These are suitable for overnight or long-duration parking.
DC Fast Chargers (CCS2, 50kW – 180kW) – Installed on highways and major routes for quick charging, enabling 80% charge in under an hour.
Ultra-Fast Chargers (above 180kW) – Still limited in availability. Gentari and Shell Recharge are testing these at select pilot locations.

Despite the growing number of fast chargers, compatibility issues persist with various car brands. To future-proof the network, Malaysia must standardize charging interfaces, improve interoperability, and support roaming agreements between charge point operators (CPOs).

Policy Framework and Government Incentives

The Malaysian government has rolled out several incentives to encourage EV adoption and support the expansion of the charging network:

Import and excise duty exemptions for fully electric vehicles.
Income tax relief of up to RM2,500 for expenses related to EV charging facilities.
Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) and Green Income Tax Exemption (GITE) for businesses investing in EV infrastructure.

Additionally, MITI and MOT are collaborating on new regulatory frameworks to license CPOs, enforce installation guidelines, and ensure minimum safety standards.

Yet, red tape and slow permit approvals remain barriers to faster deployment. Streamlining bureaucratic processes and offering clearer guidelines will be crucial in accelerating the development of charging stations nationwide.

Smart Charging, Grid Impact, and Future Technologies

To ensure a resilient and scalable network, Malaysia must also address the impact of EV charging on the national grid. High-power DC chargers can significantly strain the grid during peak hours if not properly managed.

Smart charging solutions, which adjust charging times based on grid demand and electricity tariffs, can reduce pressure. Integration with renewable sources like solar panels and battery energy storage systems (BESS) can further enhance reliability and sustainability.

Moreover, future technologies such as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and wireless charging are on the horizon. Malaysia must invest in R&D and pilot programs to stay at the forefront of innovation and ensure long-term ecosystem sustainability.

Public Awareness and Consumer Readiness

Despite rising EV sales, consumer awareness and confidence remain relatively low, especially outside metropolitan areas. Many potential users remain unaware of:

Charging costs vs fuel
Maintenance benefits of EVs
Availability of chargers and route planning tools

Public education campaigns, interactive tools, and transparent pricing models will help drive informed decision-making and broader acceptance of EV technology.

What Needs to Be Done: Recommendations for a Future-Proof Network

To ensure Malaysia’s EV charging infrastructure is truly future-ready, we recommend the following strategic actions:

Expand coverage in rural and highway areas to close the accessibility gap.
Introduce national-level roaming agreements between charging networks.
Implement dynamic pricing models to manage peak demand.
Mandate smart grid integration for all new fast-charging stations.
Invest in ultra-fast charging technologies and battery swapping pilot programs.
Enhance public-private collaboration for efficient rollout and maintenance.
Standardize charger types and payment methods to simplify user experience.

Charging Ahead with Confidence

Malaysia has made commendable progress in building its EV charging network. With strategic investments, policy support, and technological innovation, the country is on track to become a regional leader in electric mobility. However, to meet future demand and ensure sustainable growth, a unified, inclusive, and tech-enabled approach must be at the core of the nation’s EV infrastructure strategy.