PETALING JAYA: Rising fuel prices and global geopolitical tensions are prompting Malaysians to consider electric vehicles (EVs) as a way to manage future living costs.
Marketing executive Hisham Hussein, 34, said he is considering an EV due to the features and cost efficiency it offers.
“EVs’ prices are very competitive against the internal combustion engine.
“I am mulling buying an EV because of the ongoing Iran-US conflict, which has resulted in rising global oil prices and the possibility of higher living costs if the conflict prolongs.
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“An EV may help me to manage my living cost in terms of fuel and maintenance expenses,” he said in an interview.
Joachim Tan, 38, who is researching EVs for his future purchase, said switching to an EV is a worthy investment due to concerns that oil prices might increase further.
“When the government is unable to bear the cost of subsidy anymore and lets oil prices fully float according to the market rate, it will impact my expenses.
“As of now, the price of non- subsidised petrol has risen by at least 60sen. That should be a signal.
“In addition, the government has also announced that the Budi95 scheme at RM1.99 per litre may only be implemented for another two months.
“With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and geopolitical tensions, it’s a worthy investment to reduce petrol dependency,” said the educator from Petaling Jaya.
A business owner, who wished to be known only as Chandran, said people should look into owning an EV and reduce dependency on petrol.
“I think it would be impossible to be completely ‘petrol-less’, but I believe buying an EV is the way forward,” said the 42-year-old from Klang, who owns an EV.
“When I first bought my EV, fuel prices were one of the factors besides safety and its features.
“Charging the battery isn’t an issue for me because I have solar panels at home, which lowers my electricity bill.”
According to Malaysia’s official open data portal (data.gov.my), as of last February, only 2,751 EVs were registered.
However, the number has since climbed to 4,352 last month, an increase of 1,601 or 58% within one year.
