Kuala Lumpur, 18^th September 2024 – BMW Group Malaysia and Malaysia Zero Emission Vehicle Association (MyZEVA) present several insights into the present progress of Electrified Mobility in Malaysia, through a series of infographics. Based on data provided by MyZEVA, these visualisations highlight the growth in Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption and the expansion of the infrastructure for charging the vehicle currently shaping the innovation transition in the mobility sector.

Represented by vehicles and models from the BMW i portfolio, the feasibility of interstate travel with EVs, as well as the comparison in charging/refuelling and maintenance costs between EVs and petrol engine vehicles are also explored and detailed.

Infographic 1: Noticed More Electric Vehicles on the Road Lately?

EVs are becoming increasingly common on Malaysian roads, with a growing number of registrations in state JPJ offices across Peninsular Malaysia. The heatmap above indicates that between 2021 and June 2024, significant numbers of EVs were registered in various states, with Kuala Lumpur leading at 5,271 registrations, followed by Selangor at 1,544 registrations. Other states with high registration numbers are Johor with 657, Pulau Pinang with 351, Sabah with 326 and Sarawak with 268. However, most registrations are also made online via the official JPJ partner portal. In fact, of the 27,382 registrations across Malaysia as of June 2024, 17,244 registrations were made via online registration.

This growth underscores the expanding reach of Electrified Mobility across the country, as more Malaysians, regardless of their location, embrace the benefits of EV ownership. Thanks to the improved range capacities of modern EVs, many Malaysians now confidently travel nationwide in their EVs with ease.

Accelerating towards Electrified Mobility.

After plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) gained significant traction in the 2010s as a transitional technology, the shift to EVs has visibly surged since 2022. As more Malaysians become aware of the benefits of Electrified Mobility and as the supporting infrastructure continues to grow, this trend is expected to persist.

Public Charging Network Growing in Tandem.

Correlating with the rise in EV ownership in Malaysia, the number of public charging bays have also risen exponentially to match, ensuring that the charging needs of EV owners are met and providing greater confidence for Malaysians to travel further with their EVs. The growing network of charging stations, both in urban areas and along highways, is a crucial factor in supporting the nation's transition toward Electrified Mobility.

Infographic 2: Electric Vehicles Road Trips and Interstate Travels.

Modern EVs offer ranges that rival or even exceed those of petrol engine vehicles, making road trips in an EV a convenient and worry-free experience. With ranges of up to 440 km (WLTP) for models like the BMW iX1 xDrive30 and up to 433 km (WLTP) for the MINI Countryman SE ALL4, these vehicles are more than capable of handling long-distance journeys across Malaysia.

Public Charging Bays in Malaysia.

As of June 2024, data from MEVnet by PLANMalaysia and MGTC showed 2,606 public charging bays available across Malaysia. While home charging remains the main charging option for many EV owners, the rapidly expanding public charging infrastructure has greatly enhanced the convenience of driving electric vehicles on longer trips. This growth is expected to continue in the coming years, further supporting the shift to Electrified Mobility.

Planning Your Trip Beforehand.

Planning the journey ahead of time can make a trip even smoother. EV drivers can easily locate charging facilities along highways or in cities using interactive tools like the MEVnet dashboard by PLANMalaysia and MGTC, which is available at planmalaysia.gov.my/mevnet/. Additionally, popular navigation apps such as Google Maps and Waze now provide comprehensive, up-to-date listings and routes to public EV charging locations, making it easier than ever to plan the journey ahead in an EV.

Moreover, the availability of DC fast charging facilities along highways means that recharging an EV vehicle can be done quickly and efficiently, allowing a driver to be back on the road with minimal delay. It typically takes around 30 minutes to charge an EV from 10% to 80% using a DC fast charger, allowing one to take a short break to stock up on snacks, stretch one’s legs, or connect with people before getting back on the road.

Infographic 3: The EV Ownership Experience.

The Zero Emissions Vehicle Association of Malaysia (MyZEVA) has provided valuable insights into the cost perspective of owning an EV in Malaysia, then represented by comparing the fully electric BMW iX1 with its petrol-powered counterpart, the BMW X1.

Charging your EV at home is not only convenient, but also cost-effective. A home charging wall box can fully charge your EV in approximately 4 to 8 hours, depending on the model. By charging your EV overnight, you can seamlessly top up your vehicle without disrupting your daily routine. According to comparison above, charging a BMW iX1 at home is approximately 42% more cost-effective than refuelling a BMW X1 at a petrol station.

Maintenance of Electric Vehicles.

EVs also require less frequent maintenance compared to traditional ICE vehicles. With no need for oil changes and fewer moving parts, maintaining an EV is simpler and more efficient. For BMW and MINI BEVs, the batteries are also made up of modules, allowing for replacement of only the faulty modules, rather than the entire battery. Technological improvements such as this will only help ensure the costs of maintaining an EV continue to go down over time.

BMW Group Malaysia’s efforts in advancing Electrified Mobility in Malaysia.

To date, over 6,400 fully-electric vehicles from across the BMW and MINI portfolio have been introduced to Malaysian roads. Additionally, over 2,020 charging facilities have been made available by BMW Group Malaysia for EV owners here so far, through strategic partnerships with various EV charging providers in Malaysia. Over 100 BMW i and MINI charging facilities are also available at most authorised dealerships, as well as partnering venues across the country, with more to come as part of the strategic infrastructure expansion plan set for the year ahead.

For more information on the BMW Group Malaysia’s charging solutions, visit https://www.bmw.com.my/en/topics/bmw-owners/bmw-charging-solution.html.

Experience the Electrifying New BMW i5 eDrive40 at the BMW Road Trip by Regas Premium Auto and THE 5PACE at Gurney Plaza, Penang by BMW Group Malaysia.

Regas Premium Auto will be organising the BMW Road Trip event, featuring the all-electric BMW i5 eDrive40, as well as the BMW iX2 xDrive30. The event will take place at Saradise, Kuching, Sawarak from 5pm - 11pm on 20^th September, and 11am – 11PM from 21^st to 22^nd September. Those interest to participate may reach out to Regas Premium Auto for more information.

Besides that, from 10^th to 13^th October, join us to experience first-hand the latest fully electric model within the BMW 5 Series line-up at THE 5PACE, which will be held at the Centre Atrium of Gurney Plaza, Penang, from 10am - 10pm daily*. The event space will display the latest variants of the BMW 5 Series, with exclusive opportunities to get behind the wheel of the fully electric BMW i5 eDrive40.
_{^{* With the exception of 11 October, 7pm - 10pm, when THE 5PACE will be closed for a private event.}}