Change, especially when it comes in big doses, makes people uneasy. We’re creatures of habit. We stick to what we know – especially in the parts of life that define our daily rhythm: work, finances, lifestyle...and the cars we drive.
The automobile industry is no exception. Despite leaps in technology – cars that can park themselves or drive autonomously –we’re still rolling on four rubber tyres, filling up with petrol, and navigating the same old traffic jams. But underneath the hood, a quieter revolution is unfolding.
Globally, automakers are rethinking electrification. Not just through battery electric vehicles (BEVs), but with hybrids (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).
The pendulum is swinging back from all-in BEV ambitions to more inclusive, flexible strategies. Less revolution, more evolution, innovation, pragmatism.
And in Malaysia, this middle road may be the key.
Environmental awareness isn’t new, climate change has been part of the public discourse since the 1980s. Yet, despite that, car usage has surged.
In 1985, Malaysia had around 4 million active vehicles. Today, it’s 23 million – almost six times growth, while the population has just doubled, car dependency is deeply entrenched, urban sprawl continues. Public transport is improving, but not fast enough.
And while most Malaysians care about the environment, the daily realities of commuting override green intentions.
So the question becomes: what can we do now, while laying the tracks for a cleaner future?
Hybrids may be the answer hiding in plain sight.
A hybrid uses both a combustion engine and an electric motor, either working together or separately to power the vehicle. Unlike mild hybrids, which only assist the engine, hybrids can drive short distances on electric power alone.
The battery recharges itself via regenerative braking and the engine – no plugging in required. In traffic jams, during idling, and in stop-go city driving, hybrids operate more efficiently than conventional vehicles, offering fuel savings of 30% to 50% and cutting tailpipe emissions without changing driver behaviour.
The first wave of hybrids arrived in Malaysia in 2009. Toyota and Honda led the charge, supported by government policies. Early adopters were intrigued, but the scale remained limited.
Today, hybrids account for roughly 4% of total vehicle sales – about 30,000 units annually, BEVs are half that. These figures are promising, they signal change. And hybrids, with their lower barriers to entry, are better positioned to scale now.
1. Hybrids deliver climate benefits immediately.
They don’t require charging infrastructure. They work within the current fuel and servicing ecosystems. In Malaysia, where infrastructure is uneven and the grid is still greening – hybrids offer tangible carbon reductions today, not in some far-off future.
2. Hybrids accelerate readiness.
Electrification isn’t just about what’s under the bonnet – it’s about everything around it. After-sales support, technician training, roadside assistance, spare parts supply, and even insurance and resale values.
Hybrids help the broader ecosystem upskill and adapt. Every hybrid sold today builds the foundation for wider electrification tomorrow.
3. Hybrids build public trust.
They look and feel familiar. They require no new behaviours. In times of change, familiarity lowers the barrier to entry.
For many consumers, hybrids serve as a first step into electrification – without the fear of range anxiety or sticker shock.
This middle path also addresses a common misconception: that hybrids are a step backwards, or a distraction from full electrification. In reality, they are a necessary bridge & compliment to the journey of electrification.
They make low carbon mobility accessible to more people, more quickly.
Hybrids today aren’t the bolt-on tech of yesteryear. They are purpose-built, ground-up platforms with finely tuned synergy between electric motors and combustion engines.
These next-gen hybrids are lighter, smarter, and more efficient than ever before. They mark meaningful progress.
Of course, hybrids aren’t a silver bullet. They still burn fuel, yet hybrids can carry the bulk of the transition. They reduce emissions without overburdening infrastructure. They offer access without demanding sacrifice.
Globally, we’re seeing this shift play out. Countries are refining their approaches to a green future. Automakers are rebalancing investments.
Even in highly electrified markets, hybrids are regaining popularity. The world is learning that electrification isn’t a straight line – it’s a mosaic, shaped by context, cost, and consumer needs.
Malaysia’s path will be uniquely ours. But the goal is shared: a cleaner, more sustainable future.
By 2035, nearly 50% of vehicles worldwide could be electrified in some form, not all will be BEVs. And that’s okay. What matters is that we’re moving forward – and that we bring as many people along as possible.
A multi-pathway approach –hybrids, plug-ins, BEVs, and even fuel cell EVs – will deliver faster, fairer, and more scalable impact.
It ensures we’re not waiting for perfection before making progress. Because climate action delayed is climate action denied.
So while we plan for charging stations, incentives, and greener grids, hybrids give us a head start. They work now, with the systems we have.
They buy us time without burning through it. They get us moving – thoughtfully, accessibly, meaningful, and at scale.
The future isn’t just electric. It’s transitional. And that’s where hybrids shine.
The views expressed here are the writer's own.
