English Archives

Piston.my

English

Why Are Electric Vehicles So Expensive In Malaysia?

It is undeniable that the Malaysian government has introduced a number of EV-specific incentives to promote the use of electric vehicles (EVs), including complete import and excise duty exemptions that are valid through the end of 2025.

Despite this, EVs remain prohibitively expensive for the bulk of the population for one key reason, which is the price of buying one. EVs presently cost above RM100,000 in Malaysia. This is supposedly caused by regulations put in place by the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI), not because EVs are costly by nature, but something entirely different.

According to a report by SoyaCincau, a new Completely Built Up (CBU) EV may only be imported into Malaysia in accordance with MITI’s Franchise AP policy which states that an EV can only be imported if its list price in our market exceeds RM100,000. This policy will be in effect until December 31, 2025, much like the exemptions from import and excise taxes that we previously indicated.

(more…)

German Artist Turns The McLaren Artura Into A Work Of Art

McLaren Automotive has unveiled a special design for the McLaren Artura hybrid supercar created in conjunction with renowned German artist Cevin Parker.

Contemporary self-taught abstract artist Parker, who lives and works in Berlin, has recently shown his work at the IncubARTor exhibition in Hamburg. It must be said that this is a unique piece of art and is not something you see every day. It will definitely be an eye-catcher at car meets.

(more…)

Minimum Wage Hike Could Leave New Malaysian Grads Unemployed

Without careful preparation, setting a minimum salary for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) graduates might result in a large number of jobless people, an economist has said.

Geoffrey Williams, an economics professor from Malaysia University of Science and Technology, stated that a more thorough description of the concept is required to prevent market forces from interfering and denying TVET graduates employment chances.

Williams noted that in the absence of a strategy, companies may respond by recruiting non-graduates. Because salaries are paid by private enterprises, it is unclear how the government will determine a minimum wage of RM2,500. Companies could prefer non-grads if they must pay TVET graduates greater compensation, which would be counterproductive, according to a report by FMT.

The government has a proposal to raise the pay for TVET graduates to between RM2,500 and RM3,000, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He claimed that the present starting pay for TVET graduates, which ranges from RM1,800 to RM2,000, was insufficient to compensate them for their skill set.

The government’s plan has the support of the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF), which asserts that a compensation structure should be implemented to compensate TVET graduates in accordance with their technical proficiency.

After finishing their SPM education, TVET students go through up to five levels of skill training, according to information found on the website of the education ministry. After completing levels three and five, they get technical certificates (known as Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia) and diplomas (known as Diploma Kemahiran Malaysia or Diploma Vokasional Malaysia).

According to a study conducted by MEF last year on salaries given to executive and non-executive staff, diploma graduates make a minimum of RM1,936 while degree holders make roughly RM2,805 per month.

Mercedes Teases Concept Car That Will Guide Future Production Models

Mercedes-Benz is about to reveal a new entry-level electric vehicle, most likely in concept form, and has released a teaser with a possible debut at the next International Auto Show in Germany (2023 IAA Mobility). Additionally, it was revealed that two off-road-oriented cars will also be displayed during the event.

MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS — ***Mercedes-Benz C-Class***

The brand’s “Open Space” will be held in the Apothekenhof, where guests will be able to see all of the current and upcoming electric and electrified vehicles from all Mercedes brands, including Mercedes-AMG, G-Class, Mercedes-Maybach, and Mercedes-Benz Vans, for the first time in one place.

(more…)

5 Year Waiting Period For Tesla Cybertruck

According to a crowdsourced data tracker, the long-awaited Tesla Cybertruck has received over 1.9 million orders so far. Insideevs quotes Tesla CEO Elon Musk as saying that demand for the Cybertruck is “so off the hook, you can’t even see the hook.”

Tesla Cybertruck orders are high but that has not deterred customers from putting down deposits even though they could have to wait four or five years to get their truck. People are undoubtedly fascinated in both the all-electric pickup’s distinctive style and the claims Tesla has made because it is so unusually made.

(more…)

Heat Wave Affecting EV Battery Performance & Reducing Range

EV’s are supposed to be the savior’s of the world by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, eliminate the need for dirty petrol, and improve the efficiency of transportation. Ironically, the bulk of the world is presently experiencing soaring temperatures, which consequently are reducing EV range and posing a challenge for EV users.

Recurrent, a battery and range analytics firm located in Seattle, evaluated a variety of EVs in a range of climates to see whether temperatures had an impact on battery health and range. EV range decreased as the temperature rose. When temperatures surpassed 38 degrees Celsius, the range of some EVs was reduced by 31%. EVs had a 5% range loss at 32 degrees Celcius and a 2.8% reduction at 26 degrees Celsius.

(more…)

Sugar-Cane Cars Slow Down EV Adoption In Brazil

Speciality automobiles running on any blend of petrol and ethanol were Brazil’s novel approach to reducing tailpipe emissions for two decades, helping the country boast just a quarter of the road pollution of other nations its size.

While other countries are pushing the EV agenda, Brazil is standing its ground while several of the other leading economies in the world set out specific plans to ultimately stop selling automobiles with combustion engines. The most widely used models in the nation are so-called flexible-fuel cars that can operate entirely on biofuel made from sugar cane, making them generally more environmentally friendly than pure petrol engines.

(more…)

Malaysia Set To Be EV Powerhouse in South East Asia!

With the government aggressively supporting a favourable EV environment and the strong corporate commitment demonstrated by two globally famous automakers, Geely and Tesla, Malaysia is on the right track to become an Electric Vehicle (EV) powerhouse in Southeast Asia.

According to a report by Bernama which has been picked up by several news portals, the introduction of Tesla Inc. with its headquarters in the US and China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co, commonly referred to as Geely, into the Malaysian market is a glaring example of Malaysia’s importance in the region’s automotive sector.

(more…)

2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata To Be Electrified

According to Mazda, the 2026 MX-5 Miata will ditch internal combustion in favour of electric power. However, the carmaker chose not to specify whether electrification will be entirely electric, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid. The next-generation Miata must take this step in order for it to survive through 2030 when Mazda’s entire lineup is expected to be mostly electric.

The Mazda Miata has a long-standing, well-deserved reputation as a fun, inexpensive roadster with excellent driving dynamics, and an electric version would ensure its continued viability in the years to come. The Japanese automaker will probably release a hybrid or plug-in hybrid Miata before creating an all-electric model because Mazda is taking its time to develop EVs.

(more…)

BMW i5 Rolls Off Production Line – Malaysian Launch Imminent?

For more than six years, BMW has hinted at an electric 5 series, and now, the BMW i5‘s official production has begun. The BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, the largest European production facility for the manufacturer, is where the electric vehicle (EV) will be produced for now.

The BMW i5 is a mid-sized sedan that falls in the all-electric lineup between the i4 and i7 and will be offered alongside the petrol-powered 5-Series. The BMW 5 Series is now in its eighth generation and BMW anticipates a growth in EV manufacturing to over 40% in the upcoming year.

(more…)