Kuala lumpur: Rising oil prices linked to the West Asia crisis, coupled with the exemption tax implementation on electric vehicles (EVs) by the government are expected to prompt more people to transition to EVs, an expert said.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MotaAuto.com editor Chips Yap said Malaysia has benefitted from the aggressive rollout of charging infrastructure over the past three years, which has increased station availability and reinforced confidence in EV ownership. Yap noted that the rising oil prices are making it increasingly costly to operate internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which could accelerate the shift towards EVs.

Yap explained that the government's tax exemptions for EVs have effectively driven sales growth. He mentioned that various manufacturers have embraced the initiative, resulting in locally assembled EVs in Malaysia that help keep prices affordable. This trend is expected to continue for at least another two years, potentially aiding the government in its objective of encouraging more Malaysians to purchase EVs and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The statement was made after the book launch of the Malaysia Car of the Year 2025. Today, Mobility Media Sdn Bhd unveiled the Malaysia Car of the Year Annual Car Buyers' Guide, aimed at assisting car buyers in making informed decisions.

Yap, who has over 40 years of experience in the automotive industry, highlighted that the book compiles articles written by 12 judges from diverse backgrounds, spanning ages from the mid-20s to 70s, on the automotive market environment in 2025.