Parking fee waiver possible for EVs

KUALA LUMPUR: Local council parking fees may be waived for electric vehicles (EVs) entering cities in a move to encourage the use of EVs, says Nga Kor Ming.

The Housing and Local Government Minister said that the proposal is being mulled after the recent announcement on introducing “green plates” for EVs.

“We are currently studying the possibility of giving parking exemptions for EVs as a push factor for more people to buy them rather than traditional fossil fuel cars,” he told reporters after attending the Asean-China Ministerial Roundtable on Construction and Housing here yesterday.

Nga said his ministry is in talks with local councils to consider the feasibility of the proposal.

He cited London as an example where a congestion fee of about RM90 per entry is imposed on non-EV cars entering the city while EVs are exempted from parking fees.

In May, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced a lower road tax of as much as 85% for EVs, which will also be issued with special plates.

The plates, Loke said, would help the Fire and Rescue Department easily identify EVs in case of accidents.

On the progress of setting up some 10,000 charging stations for EVs nationwide by 2025, Nga acknowledged that progress is slower than anticipated.

At present, he said about 3,000 charging stations have been set up so far.

Nga added that the private sector, including foreign investors, are welcome to set up more charging stations.

On a separate matter, the minister said China had voiced its support for Malaysia’s bid for the presidency of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, or UN Habitat, in 2025.

He stressed that Malaysia will continue seeking support for its nomination from other member states.

Nga also said that Malaysia will be hosting the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development in Penang next year, which will be attended by 59 countries.

He said Asean members are looking at introducing a green building standard for future urbanisation projects in member states.

“There was a proposal for Asean to set up a common standard for green buildings, where development projects have to meet certain green standards,” Nga said.

For example, buildings in the near future will have to incorporate features such as eco-friendly building materials, rain harvesters and solar panels, with the proposed green building standard to be tabled at the next round of talks next year.

A total of 11 representatives from Asean and China attended the roundtable discussion.