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EVs

The latest sales figures for the month of May are out and we can now talk about the most and least popular EV models in Malaysia for that month.

Though the top 10 are not surprising, the bottom three are what caught our attention.

The fact that the Leapmotor C10 is right at the bottom with only 13 cars registered comes as no real surprise.

Of all the Chinese brands in Malaysia, Leapmotor is probably the least aggressive when it comes to marketing and the fact that the company is still yet to fix the key card access feature means that more potential buyers will be attracted to other brands that seem to have their products better sorted.

Leapmotor can continue to harp on the ‘Maserati-tuned-handling’ and we admit that it does handle well, but the fact of the matter is, most buyers won’t care about that and will mostly focus on what the car has to offer in terms of features, battery and range. And that key card system is simply put, annoying and needs an urgent fix.

We hear the team is working on it and can’t wait to see what they come up with.

Will the Leapmotor C10 finally be a force to be reckoned with? If they manage to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, then sure it will be considering they just dropped the price of the car to one that is more competitive.

However, the second and third least registered cars for the month of May is what caught our attention. BMW only managed to register 13 iX models and 14 BMW i4’s.

That is quite surprising because there was a time when the iX was really popular if not the most popular premium EV in Malaysia. Are people getting tired of the iX and looking elsewhere? It surely seems like it.

The i4 is another surprise. For its price point, features and range, it should be doing better. But, the car is small with little to no space around the back seats, this limits the type of people who will be attracted to the i4.

Have the mighty really fallen? We don’t think so because 72 units of the BMW iX2 were registered making it the 12th most popular model while 39 units of the BMW i5 (15th place) were registered and 37 units of the BMW iX1 (17th place) found new owners.

BMW’s sub-brand Mini sold 30 units of the JCW EV (18th spot) and the Aceman found 26 homes and captured the 21st spot in the 30 most popular EV’s in Malaysia.

We just have to say that despite its age and global slowdown in demand for its models, the fact that Porsche Malaysia were still able to shift 39 units of the Taycan is commendable.

And the Macan EV is in the list as well with 29 units sold but we just can’t help but wonder what is happening to Mercedes-Benz? The company only sold 23 units of the EQE and it is the only Mercedes model in the list.

So which were the most popular? It comes as no surprise that the Tesla Model Y took top spot as the Juniper model was just recently launched with 985 units registered.

The Juniper stopped the Proton e.MAS 7 run as the most popular EV in Malaysia which was on a charge since January. The e.MAS 7 now sits in second spot.

The BYD Atto 3, Sealion 7 and M6 sealed the 3rd, 4th and 5th spot, which comes as no real surprise either.

The Denza D9 comes in 6th place with 129 units sold, and that is quite surprising since many thought the Zeekr 009 may be the better buy. We don’t think it’s a better buy though and we explain why in this review.

In 7th spot is the Omoda E5 followed by the BYD Seal in 8th then the Zeekr 009 in 9th and the Tesla Model 3 rounds up the 10 most popular EV’s.

Before ending this though, we do have to tip our hats to MG Malaysia for managing to shift 14 units of the Cyberster. That’s no small feat considering the price of the car.

Below is the complete list of the 30 most popular EV’s in Malaysia:

1. Tesla Model Y – 985 units registered
2. Proton e.MAS 7 – 862
3. BYD Atto 3 – 505
4. BYD Sealion 7 – 406
5. BYD M6 – 136
6. Denza D9 – 129
7. Chery Omoda E5 – 116
8. BYD Seal – 94
9. Zeekr 009 – 90
10. Tesla Model 3 – 90
11. XPeng X9 – 77
12. BMW iX2 – 72
13. XPeng G6 – 48
14. Volvo EX90 – 41
15. BMW i5 – 39
16. Porsche Taycan – 39
17. BMW iX1 – 37
18. Mini John Cooper Works – 30
19. Porsche Macan – 29
20. GWM Ora Good Cat 07 – 28
21. Mini Aceman – 26
22. Mercedes Benz EQE – 23
23. MG MG4 – 18
24. Smart #1 and #1 – 16
25. Dong Feng Box E3 – 15
26. Volvo EX30 – 15
27. Zeekr X – 15
28. MG Cyberster – 14
29. BMW i4 – 14
30. BMW iX – 13
31. Leapmotor C10 – 13

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world’s largest battery manufacturer, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first company to comply with China’s newly updated national battery safety standard, well ahead of its implementation in 2026.

The new regulation, officially titled GB 38031-2025 Safety Requirements for Power Batteries for Electric Vehicles, was announced on 28 March 2025 and will come into effect on 1 July 2026. This updated standard introduces more rigorous safety protocols, particularly addressing thermal runaway incidents, a major safety concern in electric vehicles (EVs).

Unlike the earlier version, which primarily mandated the issuance of warning signals prior to battery failure, the revised regulation stipulates that batteries must not catch fire or explode even if a thermal runaway occurs. Additionally, any smoke released during such incidents must not cause harm to vehicle occupants.

CATL confirmed that its latest generation Qilin battery, built on the third iteration of its CTP (cell-to-pack) platform, has successfully passed all the necessary certification tests outlined under GB 38031-2025. The tests, conducted by the China Automotive Technology & Research Centre (CATARC), evaluated both battery cells and packs. These trials included bottom impact tests and the ability to endure 300 rapid charging cycles without combustion or explosion in subsequent short-circuit scenarios.

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Electric vehicle (EV) battery packs are now more affordable than ever, with average costs dropping 20% in 2024 to $115 (RM517) per kilowatt-hour (kWh), according to BloombergNEF’s annual battery price survey. This sharp decline, the most significant since 2017, is attributed to an oversupply of production capacity, reduced prices for raw materials and components, and a growing shift toward lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are more cost-effective than traditional lithium-ion variants.

The affordability of EV battery packs has long been a critical determinant of the viability of electric vehicles. With prices falling so rapidly, experts anticipate that EVs could reach price parity with petrol-powered vehicles by 2026, a milestone expected to catalyze mass adoption. This projection hinges on battery pack prices dropping below $100(RM450)/kWh, a threshold considered pivotal for widespread EV affordability.

China continues to dominate the EV battery industry, producing enough battery cells in 2024 to meet 92% of global demand across EV and stationary storage applications. This vast production capacity has significantly influenced global pricing trends, making EVs in China cheaper than their petrol counterparts. However, part of this cost advantage is supported by government funding, suggesting that market forces alone may not account for the disparity.

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BMW Group Malaysia has reinforced its position as the nation’s leading premium electric vehicle (EV) provider, exemplifying its global vision of driving the future of mobility. With over 8,700 vehicles delivered across the BMW and Mini brands by the third quarter of 2024, the automaker has firmly cemented its place in the premium segment. Impressively, more than 1,600 fully electric models contributed to these figures, representing 19% of total deliveries and highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable innovation.

Central to BMW Group Malaysia’s success is its philosophy of “Power of Choice,” which allows customers to select from a diverse range of drivetrain systems, including internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric vehicles.

Jean-Philippe Parain, Senior Vice President Sales Region in Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa from the BMW Group (left), Benjamin Nagel, Managing Director, BMW Group Malaysia

In 2024, BMW Group Malaysia introduced several new models to the market, including the BMW iX2, the BMW i5 M60, new variants of the BMW 520i, and the all-new Mini family. These launches underscore the company’s commitment to offering innovative technologies and cutting-edge designs that align with modern consumer preferences. The automaker’s efforts have also been instrumental in expanding the adoption of EVs, supported by a robust charging infrastructure comprising over 2,020 charging facilities nationwide through strategic collaborations with EV charging providers. Additionally, more than 100 BMW i and Mini charging stations are available at dealerships and other key locations, with further expansions planned.

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The Malaysian government is considering waiving parking fees for electric vehicles (EVs) entering cities as part of efforts to encourage the adoption of EVs over traditional fossil fuel cars as stated by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, according to The Star. This proposal is being examined in conjunction with the recent announcement of “green plates” for EVs.

Key Points:

  • Encouraging EV Adoption:
    • The waiver of parking fees for EVs is being proposed as a measure to make EVs more attractive to potential buyers.
    • The initiative aims to promote the use of environmentally friendly vehicles and reduce the reliance on fossil fuel cars.

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SAIC Motor, the largest state-owned Chinese automaker, has announced a significant advancement in the development of solid-state batteries, which will be available in its electric vehicles (EVs) as early as 2026. This development positions SAIC ahead of other global car manufacturers, making it the first to bring this advanced technology to the mass market. The company’s portfolio includes brands such as IM, Maxus, Rising Auto, Roewe, Baojun, Wuling, Hongyan, Sunwin, and the British brand MG, which is known for models like the Cyberster EV roadster and the EX181 electric hypercar.

The first model to feature SAIC’s solid-state battery will be the IM L6, a competitor to the Tesla Model 3, set to launch in China this October. The IM L6 is advertised to have an impressive range of 998km on a single charge, thanks to its 900V ultra-fast charging solid-state battery developed in collaboration with Qingtao Energy, a subsidiary of SAIC. This move underscores SAIC’s commitment to pioneering cutting-edge technology in the EV market.

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Ferrari’s venture into the realm of electric vehicles signifies a notable shift for the iconic automaker, with its first electric vehicle scheduled for a late 2025 debut. While specific details remain under wraps at the company’s headquarters in Maranello, CEO Benedetto Vigna has shed light on Ferrari’s approach to electrification.

Vigna underscores Ferrari’s commitment to preserving its hallmark styling and performance, assuring enthusiasts that the brand’s electric vehicles will retain the distinctive “feel” that defines Ferrari’s identity. Notably, Ferrari is actively developing unique “sound signatures” for its electric models, challenging the notion that electric cars are inherently silent. This focus on sound engineering is exemplified by Ferrari’s patenting of an EV exhaust note in 2023, underscoring the brand’s dedication to maintaining its characteristic auditory experience.

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The revelation of potential talks between Nissan Motor and Honda Motor regarding a strategic partnership signifies a significant development in the automotive industry. Faced with mounting competition from new market players, both companies acknowledge the imperative to capitalise on their individual strengths and delve into collaborative ventures, particularly within the realms of electric vehicles (EVs) and automotive software.

During a joint press conference, Honda’s President and CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, underscored the necessity of collaboration in tackling the evolving challenges within the industry. He outlined broad areas of potential cooperation, spanning automotive software, EV batteries, and synergistic product development. While specifics were not disclosed owing to the nascent stage of discussions, the establishment of multiple working groups was announced to thoroughly explore collaboration opportunities.

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The ongoing shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) is encountering an unexpected obstacle – a reluctance among buyers to invest in used electric cars. This trend is not only impacting the thriving secondhand market, with prices dropping faster than their combustion-engine counterparts, but it is also sending shockwaves through the new EV market, affecting industry giants like Tesla, Volkswagen, and Stellantis.

Market Dynamics and Pricing Wars

According to a report in Japan Times by Monica Raymunt, in the $1.2 trillion secondhand market, the value of battery-powered cars is plummeting due to factors such as a lack of subsidies, consumer anticipation for improved technology, and ongoing challenges in charging infrastructure. A fierce pricing battle initiated by Tesla and competition from Chinese models is further contributing to the depreciation of both new and used EVs.

This underscores the delicate balance automakers face in pricing their EVs competitively while ensuring sustainable profits. The current scenario may necessitate a reevaluation of pricing strategies to ensure long-term market viability.

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