It will be interesting to see how many of these models will actually come here
In the Budget 2022 speech last October, the Malaysian government proposed that electric vehicles be completely exempt from import duty, excise duty as well as taxes. This has opened up possibilities of seeing a flurry of new, exciting models arriving on our shores and hopefully this can accelerate the adoption of EVs across the country.
The models in the following list are some of those slated to enter the Australian market next year but as EVs are more likely to be offered from region to region, we think that there is a great chance that some, if not all, of the models highlighted here will also make their way to Malaysia.
Audi RS e-tron GT
Okay, Audi’s presence in Malaysia may not be as strong as its competitors in the segment but we honestly hope that the Porsche Taycan’s success here could somehow persuade Audi Malaysia to at least consider bringing in its flagship EV. And since they are essentially the same car with a different styling (and power levels), Audi Malaysia could take this as an opportunity to steal some sales from the Taycan.
BMW i4
The BMW i4 has been confirmed to be launched in Malaysia alongside the iX and iX3. An exact launch date has not been provided yet but it is very likely that we’ll be getting the eDrive40 variant that offers up to 340 PS, a 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and an impressive WLTP electric driving range of up to 590 kilometres on a single charge.
Genesis Electrified G80
Last year, we reported that the Genesis brand is coming to Malaysia. While this has yet to materialise, it is perhaps not too much to suggest that the luxury brand could mark its entry into our market with an EV just to shake things up. The Electrified G80 is Genesis’ first EV model, boasting an estimated range of 500 km per charge and 350kW rapid charging.
Genesis Electrified GV70
Every major automaker nowadays has at least one SUV in their lineup. For its EV portfolio, Genesis could start by offering the Electrified GV70 to rival the likes of the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz EQC, the former of which is expected to be available in Malaysia soon.
Kia EV6
We can confirm that the award-winning Kia EV6 will be launched by the brand’s local guardian, Dinamikjaya Motors soon. Seeing how the car is priced in South Korea, the UK and Australia, there’s a chance that it could be sold here under the RM200k mark. Let’s just wait and see.
Kia Niro EV
Kia Malaysia might take some time to evaluate the market before launching another EV but should the company decide to do so, the second-generation Niro EV is a model worth considering. It looks good, is packed with lots of technology and most importantly, you can travel almost 500 km on a single charge, assuming it offers the same range as its predecessor.
Mercedes-Benz EQB
It is no secret that Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is committed to EVs. Although their efforts to kick off the electric offensive have been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect to see several of its EV models here beginning next year. It could start with the EQB, which is essentially the battery-powered version of the GLB crossover. The seven-seater offers various power ratings – some of which will exceed 200 kW – plus batteries with usable capacities starting from 66.5 kWh.
Mercedes-Benz EQE
The E-Class is highly popular in Malaysia and for that very reason, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia could launch the EQE to attract a large number of its loyal customers into purchasing an EV. The E350, which is one of the two versions of the EQE that will be offered, boasts 215 kW and 350 Nm, as well as some of the techs from the EQS such as the MBUX Hyperscreen.
Toyota bZ4X
The oddly-named Toyota bZ4X is the first model in the automaker’s bZ series and shares its underpinnings with the Subaru Solterra. It is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, with a total system output of 150 kW for the former and 160 kW for the latter. UMW Toyota Motor is currently gearing up for the launch of locally-assembled Corolla Cross Hybrid but it is not impossible that the bZ4X could be the company’s first full EV to be assembled at its Bukit Raja plant.
