Govt Studying Best Mechanism for Levy on EV Sales, Says Johari

The government is examining the best mechanism for imposing a levy on electric vehicle (EV) sales, Johari said.

He said the proposal was still under discussion and that no timeline had been set for its implementation.

Johari said the government must take a broader view to ensure EV adoption could expand in line with the availability of charging infrastructure, especially for long-distance travel.

The development of charging infrastructure must also take into account the nation's electricity supply, which still depends heavily on coal and gas, making cost and sustainability key considerations, he said.

He said the government did not want EV sales to outpace the expansion of the charging infrastructure.

"The government recognises that EVs are an alternative for the public, but they are not cheap because charging them requires electricity.

"Those driving EVs from Johor to Perlis should not have to worry about their batteries running out, especially in heavy traffic. They should know that charging stations are available every 50, 60 or 100 kilometres," he was quoted by Berita Harian as saying in Kuala Lumpur today.

Johari said the government must determine who should develop and manage the charging infrastructure network, how much of the cost should be borne by the industry, and how long the government should continue subsidising the development of the EV ecosystem.

"If manufacturers are charged, they may pass the additional costs on to consumers. So we need to determine how much those costs would be," he said.