Global players like Tesla needed for development of Malaysia’s EV ecosystem, says Zafrul
09 Aug 2024
The development of Malaysia’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem requires the participation of global players such as Tesla Inc, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
He said his ministry, Miti, had a “systematic and strategic” approach to attracting investments in the automotive industry, which is not limited to just Tesla.
In the first phase, Miti’s goal is to facilitate EV car imports to ensure the domestic market quickly achieve a critical mass, whereby it will lead to at least 10,000 charging stations for public use, as well as high EV usage in the Malaysian market.
“After achieving this critical mass, we will hopefully be able to attract EV producers to develop assemby or manufacturing plants in Malaysia,” the minister said when contacted by Bernama on this issue.
Zafrul said that when global EV producers develop assembly or manufacturing facilities in the country under the second phase, it will also drive local automotive small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to boost their respective capacity to support the global EV producers’ supply chain by supplying spare parts, components and factory automation systems.
“We have an advantage, given that our semiconductor sector has been well established for more than 50 years — and EVs certainly use a lot of semiconductors,” he said.
The minister also stressed that Tesla, as a participant in the Global Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Initiative, definitely supports the development of the EV ecosystem in Malaysia from various aspects, despite not having made any commitment to opening a factory here.
Zafrul pointed out that to date, Tesla had developed four experience centres in Malaysia.
Further, Tesla has reportedly surpassed the target of installing 50 charging units by setting up 52 ultra-fast chargers, with a capacity of more than 180 kilowatts each, at various sites in the Klang Valley, Johor, Melaka, Penang and Pahang.
In addition, the minister said, the Global BEV Initiative also requires at least 80% of the Tesla workforce to be Malaysians, and this condition was met.
Another condition that Tesla has fulfilled is partnership with at least 10 local SMEs in developing the country’s EV ecosystem, according to Zafrul.
“It has also partnered with five Malaysian banking groups, and two local insurance firms, in offering financing packages for Tesla car purchases.
“Tesla is also collaborating with local logistics companies to handle various EV-related transactions,” the minister said.
All this, he said, demonstrates Tesla’s seriousness in continuing its investment in Malaysia.
Zafrul also noted that only Tesla had applied and been approved for participation in the Global BEV Initiative so far.
Source: Bernama
