Electric Vehicle Adoption: A Comparative Analysis in Malaysia and ASEAN Countries

Siti Norbakyah Jabar; Nashimah Abdullah; Wan Nur Zafirah Wan Razak; Nur Aliya  Ezzaty Azali; Khairun Nasrin  Azman; Khairunnisa Mohd Kharfizi; Siti Nur Syakinah  Jansi; Nurru Anida Ibrahim; Salisa Abdul Rahman

doi:10.37934/sijese.1.1.6068b

Authors

Siti Norbakyah Jabar Energy Storage Research Group (ESRG), University Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
Nashimah Abdullah Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
Wan Nur Zafirah Wan Razak Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
Nur Aliya Ezzaty Azali Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
Khairun Nasrin Azman Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
Khairunnisa Mohd Kharfizi Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
Siti Nur Syakinah Jansi Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
Nurru Anida Ibrahim Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
Salisa Abdul Rahman Renewable Energy and Power Research Interest Group (REPRIG), University Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37934/sijese.1.1.6068b

Keywords:

Electric Vehicle, EV adoption, ASEAN

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) offer environmental and economic benefits, but face barriers to widespread adoption globally and in the ASEAN region. This paper analyses Malaysia’s EV adoption approach and progress compared to neighbouring countries to understand its positioning and potential policy improvements. The analysis examines government EV incentives, infrastructure development, market growth, and remaining challenges across multiple ASEAN nations. While Malaysia introduced early EV incentives, progress remains slower than regional leaders like Thailand and Indonesia with under 31,000 EVs on Malaysian roads versus over 84,000 in Thailand. High vehicle costs, lack of public charging stations, and low consumer awareness require urgent policy action. By learning from the successes and missteps of advanced ASEAN EV markets, Malaysia can enhance strategic support through improved incentives, infrastructure investments, awareness campaigns, and intergovernmental collaboration to accelerate sustainable electric mobility.