PETALING JAYA: While e-hailing drivers are open to electric vehicles (EVs), many still view the switch as financially risky due to costs and spotty infrastructure, say industry groups.
Gabungan eHailing Malaysia (GEM) chief activist Masrizal Mahidin said most drivers remain trapped in a gig economy model where nearly all financial risks are borne by the workers themselves.
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“Today, most drivers remain embedded in a traditional model that transfers nearly all risks onto the worker, from asset ownership and operational costs to income uncertainty.
“EV adoption is perceived not as an opportunity, but as a new financial burden with significant risk exposure,” he said.
Masrizal said high upfront vehicle prices, uneven access to charging infrastructure, and income loss caused by charging downtime were among the biggest concerns faced by drivers.
“Existing financing structures also fail to reflect the realities of gig workers, whose incomes are dynamic,” he said, adding that the transition towards greener mobility must balance technological progress with worker welfare.
“The issue is not whether drivers can adapt to EVs, but whether the ecosystem is prepared to evolve in support of them,” he said.
To address this, Masrizal proposed more inclusive industry models, including risk-sharing frameworks between drivers, platforms and industry players, as well as earnings-based financing schemes and cooperative fleet ownership models.
“These are structural necessities to ensure a fair and sustainable gig economy.
“Financing schemes, purchase subsidies and operational rebates must be designed specifically for self-employed gig drivers,” he said.
He also warned that policies focused mainly on fleet operators could sideline independent drivers and affect the long-term health of the industry.
“If the transition is structured correctly, EVs can uplift drivers. If structured poorly, it risks repeating past industry imbalances,” he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia E-Hailing Drivers Association (MeHDA) president Daryl Chong said EV adoption among e-hailing drivers was achievable, but only with stronger government support.
“Our position is that EV adoption is achievable, but only with targeted government intervention including subsidised EV financing schemes for gig workers, expanded public and commercial charging networks, and a structured trade-in programme for existing petrol and diesel vehicles,” he said.
Chong said most drivers are interested in using EVs due to the potential savings on fuel and maintenance costs over the long run, but several obstacles must be resolved first.
“The biggest barriers remain the high upfront purchase price, limited charging infrastructure, especially outside Klang Valley, long charging times that directly cut into earning hours, and uncertainty around battery longevity and resale value,” he said.
He said most e-hailing drivers currently could not realistically afford EVs without stronger financial assistance.
“The majority of our members operate on tight margins and rely on hire-purchase arrangements.
“Even the more affordable EV models in Malaysia still carry monthly instalments that are difficult to sustain, given fluctuating ride demand and platform commission structures,” he said.
To address this, Chong added that MeHDA is actively engaging the relevant ministries, and welcomed further comprehensive policy discussions on the issue.
