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Malaysia’s New EV Road Tax Kicks In From 2026, Starting at RM20 a Year

From 1 January 2026, electric vehicle (EV) owners in Malaysia will no longer enjoy tax-free motoring. The government has announced that road tax for EVs will be introduced at rates starting as low as RM20 per year, with the highest tier capped at RM850 annually.

The new structure is based on motor output (kW), rather than engine displacement, as applied to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. By linking road tax directly to motor power, the system indirectly ties in with the price and performance of each EV. Smaller, affordable models will be taxed at the lower end, while high-powered luxury EVs will sit at the top of the scale.

Datuk Shahrol Halmi, President of the Malaysia EV Owners Club, pointed out that the rates are far lower than the pre-2022 formula, which many had feared would return once current exemptions expired. He described the announcement as a welcome surprise, noting that a model like the BYD Atto 2, with a 130kW motor, would only attract an annual road tax of about RM120.

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BYD SEAL 6 EV Makes Global Debut in Malaysia – Pricing Starts from RM100,000!

Malaysia has been chosen as the stage for the world’s first reveal of the BYD SEAL 6 EV, with BYD Sime Motors officially pulling the covers off the new model today. The launch not only introduces a fresh contender in the C-segment sedan market but also highlights Malaysia’s growing importance in BYD’s global strategy.

The SEAL 6 EV arrives as the seventh model in BYD’s local line-up, sitting alongside popular choices like the Dolphin and Atto 3. Unlike its stablemates, the SEAL 6 EV is pitched as a more premium and dynamic sedan, aiming to combine modern design, advanced electric technology and day-to-day usability in a package that should appeal to a wide audience.

In Malaysia, the SEAL 6 is being promoted under the tagline “Precision. Passion. Aligned.” This reflects BYD’s intention to blend performance with refinement.

Two variants will be available locally — Dynamic and Premium. The Premium gets an opening panoramic sunroof with a powered shade, 18-inch wheels on 225/50 Westlake tyres, and a full-width LED strip up front. The Dynamic skips the sunroof, runs on smaller 17-inch alloys with 225/55 tyres, and loses the LED strip.

For the first time, a BYD sedan is fitted with an all-new advanced suspension system featuring a dual ball-joint MacPherson strut at the front and a rear multi-link setup. Together with a rear-wheel drive configuration — rare in this segment — the car promises a sportier, more balanced feel, with improved weight distribution and a turning radius of just 5.5 metres.

The electric motor in the Premium variant delivers 214hp and 330Nm of torque, allowing the sedan to sprint from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds. Three driving modes are available, catering for both relaxed and spirited driving. The Dynamic variant produces 127hp and 220Nm of torque. The SEAL 6 features a 56.64 kWh BYD Blade Battery, which boasts an NEDC driving range of 485km.

The battery supports DC fast charging at up to 100 kW, allowing it to go from 30% to 80% in just 23 minutes. For slower charging, the onboard Type 2 AC system tops out at 6.67 kW. On top of that, it also comes with vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, delivering up to 3.7 kW to power external devices.

At the same time, the SEAL 6 retains a strong emphasis on practicality, offering 24 storage compartments throughout the cabin and a combined cargo capacity of 525 litres.

Inside, the car is designed to rekindle the joy of driving, pairing a quiet cabin with premium comfort features and seamless connectivity. The model is also the largest in its class among C-segment sedans sold in Malaysia, which should translate into generous passenger space.

It has a 12.8-inch intelligent touch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel, synthetic leather seats and a wireless phone charger.

Standard safety features include Stop and Go full speed adaptive cruise control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Intelligent High Beam Control.

Colour choices include Arctic White, Harbour Grey and Misty Blue. The interior comes in a black and grey combination. Pricing starts from RM100,000 for the Dynamic variant and RM115,800 for the Premium.

For early adopters, the first 800 customers will enjoy benefits worth up to RM6,288, depending on the chosen variant and housing type. These include complimentary wall chargers, rebates, or even a 12-month doorstep charging programme tailored for high-rise residents.

All buyers will also receive a V2L adapter, a Type 2 charging cable and a comprehensive warranty package — six years or 150,000 km for the vehicle, plus eight years or 160,000 km coverage for both the drive unit and the Blade battery.

BYD Sime Motors has been expanding rapidly in Malaysia. The brand already operates 37 outlets nationwide and is targeting 50 by the end of 2026. Since its entry into the market, over 20,000 units have been sold, underlining strong customer confidence and growing interest in EVs. With the launch of the SEAL 6 EV, the company expects this momentum to continue.

Bookings for the BYD SEAL 6 EV are now open across BYD showrooms in Malaysia.

McLaren Rancang Masa Depan Baharu Melepasi Dunia Supercar

McLaren, jenama yang sinonim dengan supercar dua tempat duduk berprestasi tinggi, kini sedang memasuki fasa baharu dalam perjalanan korporatnya. Syarikat itu baru-baru ini diambil alih oleh CYVN Holdings, sebuah entiti yang mempunyai kaitan dengan dana kekayaan Arab Saudi, sebelum digabungkan dengan syarikat permulaan EV dari UK, Forseven.

Apa yang bakal terjadi pada masa depan McLaren masih belum jelas sepenuhnya, namun beberapa petunjuk sudah mula kelihatan. Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif baharu, Nick Collins, mendedahkan kepada Car Magazine bahawa McLaren kini mempertimbangkan jenis kenderaan baharu, bukan lagi sekadar kereta sport ringan seperti sebelumnya.

Collins tidak mengesahkan sama ada McLaren akan menghasilkan SUV, tetapi mengakui buat pertama kali jenama itu akan membina kereta dengan lebih daripada dua tempat duduk. Ini merupakan perubahan besar bagi sebuah syarikat yang sejak awal berpegang teguh pada formula supercar eksklusif.

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McLaren Eyes Expansion Under New Ownership – And Hints At More Than Supercars

McLaren may have recently unveiled the Artura sports car and the track-focused W1 hypercar, but questions still linger about what the future holds for the legendary British brand. The company has just undergone a major shift in ownership, having been taken over by CYVN Holdings, an investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, and merged with UK-based EV startup Forseven.

What this means for McLaren long-term is still uncertain, but some clues have started to emerge. Speaking to Car Magazine in the UK, new CEO Nick Collins outlined parts of the plan, and it looks as though McLaren is preparing to stretch beyond its traditional playground of lightweight, two-seat supercars.

Collins stopped short of confirming whether an SUV is on the way, something McLaren has teased before, but he did reveal that the brand will move into what he called “adjacent segments.” Crucially, he confirmed a future model will arrive with more than two seats, which would mark a significant departure from McLaren’s history of strictly sticking to the supercar formula.

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XPENG Luas Rangkaian Pengecasan EV di Asia Tenggara

Jenama kenderaan elektrik (EV) dari China, XPENG, kini meluaskan capaian pengecasannya di Asia Tenggara selepas menjalin kerjasama dengan Charge Plus.

Usaha ini memberi pemilik XPENG akses kepada lebih 3,800 stesen pengecasan di Singapura, Malaysia dan Thailand, selain liputan sepanjang 5,000km lebuh raya yang menghubungkan Singapura, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam dan Kemboja. Ia sekali gus menjadikan XPENG jenama EV China pertama yang bekerjasama dengan Charge Plus di rantau ini.

Model XPENG seperti G6, G9 dan X9 dilengkapi sistem pengecasan pantas 800V, membolehkan ia memanfaatkan sepenuhnya rangkaian baharu ini. Laluan yang diliputi termasuk keseluruhan sistem lebuh raya utara-selatan di Singapura, Malaysia dan Thailand. Di Singapura pula, rangkaian ini turut merangkumi kemudahan pengecasan awam terbesar negara itu, yang menguasai lebih 30% pasaran.

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Toyota Australia Pertimbang Bawa Masuk Lebih Banyak EV dari China

Toyota Australia sedang mempertimbangkan kemungkinan untuk menambah barisan kenderaan elektrik (EV) dengan membawa masuk lebih banyak model dari China.

Menurut Sean Hanley, Ketua Jualan dan Pemasaran Toyota Australia, syarikat itu sedang memantau rapat perkembangan model EV yang dihasilkan oleh rakan kongsi mereka di China.

Beliau menegaskan bahawa Toyota mempunyai hubungan kukuh dengan kilang pengeluaran di sana dan tidak melihat sebarang masalah untuk menjual kenderaan buatan China di pasaran Australia, selagi ia mematuhi piawaian kualiti Toyota.

Buat masa ini, Toyota hanya mempunyai satu model EV global iaitu SUV bZ4X. Versi kemas kini dijadualkan dilancarkan hujung tahun ini, manakala varian Touring dengan ruang lebih luas bakal hadir pada 2025.

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Toyota Australia May Look to China for More EVs

Toyota Australia is thinking about bringing in more electric cars from China as it looks to grow its EV line-up.

Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s Sales and Marketing boss, said the company is watching what its partners in China are making. He explained that Toyota already has strong ties with factories there and sees no issue with selling Chinese-built cars in Australia, as long as they meet Toyota’s standards.

Right now, Toyota only has one electric car worldwide – the bZ4X SUV. An updated version will arrive later this year, and a Touring version with more space is coming in 2025.

In China, Toyota already sells more EVs, such as the bZ3 sedan, bZ5 SUV coupe, and bigger models like the bZ7 and bZ3X SUV. These are built with local partners FAW and GAC.

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Tun Mahathir, 100 Tahun, Pandu Proton e.MAS 7 di EKVE

Pada Sabtu, 20 September lalu, pengguna Lebuhraya East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE) dikejutkan dengan satu pemandangan luar biasa — Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, kini berusia 100 tahun, dilihat memandu sendiri Proton e.MAS 7, SUV elektrik terbaharu keluaran Proton.

Walaupun telah mencecah usia seabad, beliau kelihatan tenang dan yakin mengendalikan kenderaan itu. Ramai pemandu yang terserempak segera mengangkat tangan memberi hormat, tanda penghargaan rakyat terhadap bekas Perdana Menteri yang masih aktif dan bertenaga.

Ikatan Tun Mahathir dan Proton

Hubungan Mahathir dengan Proton bukan sesuatu yang baharu. Sejak tahun 1980-an, beliau telah mencetuskan idea untuk menubuhkan projek kereta nasional sebagai sebahagian daripada visi pembangunan industri negara. Proton secara rasmi ditubuhkan pada 1983, manakala Proton Saga pertama dilancarkan pada 1985.

Sepanjang dekad berikutnya, Mahathir sering dilihat menggunakan kereta Proton — bukan sekadar kenderaan rasmi, malah sebagai pilihan peribadi. Justeru, melihat beliau memandu e.MAS 7, Proton’s pertama SUV elektrik pasaran massa, membawa makna yang mendalam — seolah-olah lingkaran sejarah Proton kembali ke titik asalnya.

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Tun Mahathir Shows He’s Driving Strong at 100, Cruising EKVE in Proton e.MAS 7

On Saturday, 20 September, motorists on the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE) witnessed a striking sight, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, at 100 years old, confidently behind the wheel of the Proton e.MAS 7. Even as he approaches a century in age, the former Prime Minister looked comfortable and in command of Proton’s first mass-market electric vehicle.

Drivers who recognised him along the highway waved in respect, a small gesture reflecting the enduring admiration many Malaysians hold for him.

For Tun Mahathir, this was more than just a leisurely drive. His connection with Proton runs deep, going back to the 1980s when he spearheaded the national car project as part of his wider vision for Malaysia’s industrialisation.

It was under his leadership that Proton was established in 1983, with the first Saga rolling off the line in 1985. Over the decades, he has often been seen in Proton cars, treating them not as ceremonial symbols but as everyday vehicles. That bond between statesman and carmaker has never really faded.

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Proton e.MAS 7 Stays on Top as Malaysia’s Best-Selling EV

Proton’s electric push continues to gain traction as the Proton e.MAS 7 has once again claimed the title of Malaysia’s number one electric vehicle for August 2025. According to the latest figures, the EV has racked up 5,811 deliveries between January and August this year, with 5,455 units sold locally and a further 356 exported to four international markets.

This milestone means the e.MAS 7 has been the country’s best-selling EV for eight consecutive months, maintaining its lead since the start of the year. Based on JPJ registration data, the car holds a 24% market share, meaning almost one in every four EVs sold in Malaysia is a Proton e.MAS 7.

Local Assembly Begins in Tanjung Malim

August also marked a significant step forward for Proton with the official opening of its first dedicated EV plant in Tanjung Malim. Up until now, the e.MAS 7 had been brought in as a completely built-up (CBU) model from China to keep up with strong early demand. With the new facility now operational, Proton will soon begin local assembly of the model, making the e.MAS 7 the brand’s first CKD EV.

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