The Minister of Transport – YB Anthony Loke Siew Fook attended and officiated the opening ceremony of GWM’s new Seremban 4S centre held this morning (July 1, 2023). While giving his speech during the opening ceremony, the transport minister mentioned that the Ministry of Transport (MOT) is proposing for EV (electric vehicle) tax structure to be cheaper than the current structure for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles after the current EV tax exemption policy expires in 2025.
Earlier this year, YB Anthony Loke mentioned that the MOT is reviewing road tax structures for both ICE and EVs in Malaysia. The new EV road tax structure has also been said to be a work in progress and is scheduled to be unveiled by the end of this year 2023.
A new special number plate series intended for EVs in Malaysia is also in the process of being proposed by the MOT, according to the transport minister. The special number plate will start with the letters “EV”, followed by the number “1” to “9999”, and is only applicable for fully EVs only, and is available throughout the nation. Once the “EV” plate series is fully utilised, it will be succeeded by letter combinations like “EVA”, “EVB”, “EVC” etc, in alphabetical order.
Aside from being special, the “EV” number plate can also help rescue teams like the fire department (Bomba) to better recognise and help EV owners when involved in traffic accidents. This is because methods of handling EVs involved in accidents are rather different compared to traditional ICE vehicles, said YB Anthony Loke.
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The Minister of Transport also encourages EV carmakers like GWM to invest in the local automotive industry by setting up assembly plants and even producing EV batteries in Malaysia. This can not only benefit the country’s automotive industry but also the economy. Currently, many EV vehicles, including GWM’s Ora Good Cat is fully imported (CBU).
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