Demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to grow sharply in 2023, due to tax incentives as well as potential launches of more accessibly priced EVs. Vision for electric vehicle ecosystems in Malaysia in supporting the smart & sustainable agenda?
What will happen to the ICE cars we already own, and are still paying loans for, as the world moves to EVs? Will the adoption of EVs make these vehicles obsolete and redundant, while they still have economic value? How can the entire ecosystem transform to support this transition?
The tax incentives have been a great entry signal for early adopters of EVs, and this year we have seen the momentum and public interest continue to build up, as more EV models enter our shores, seemingly aimed at the mid- range market. This is a positive trend of course, but it begs the question;
Perhaps then, the answer to a true smart & sustainable solution cannot be fully found in new vehicles alone. What if, as our current cars age and becomes more costly to maintain, that cost can be diverted towards converting these cars to electric? We believe conversion kits could make EVs even more viable and affordable, especially to the majority favouring A-segment cars as their daily drive of choice. These kits could even be pre-installed in the factory as an electric version of local brand models. In both cases, a new (electric) lease of life is possible for our already-beloved cars.
How about the ecosystem? Traditional automotive workshops can soon reinvent themselves, as upcoming regulations will offer opportunities to train and upgrade to become EV workshops, able to perform conversions through pre-approved kits instead of engine overhauls as these engines start phasing out. Additionally, traditional petrol stations can become EV service hubs, offering increasingly more charging bays to replace fuel pumps, and other future services such as battery swapping or extensions, for the occasional ‘balik kampung’ journeys which require longer range. Both examples show how industries and support systems can remain relevant and thrive in changing times.
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MSCA 2023 I VOL.5
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