CBU EV importers may be required to install charging stations; prioritising DC chargers crucial: MITI

The ministry of investment, trade and industry (MITI) is considering requiring companies bringing in fully imported (CBU) electric vehicles to help install more EV charging facilities, said its minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, reported Free Malaysia Today.

This move could become a future requirement to support EV growth and access to EV charging nationwide, Johari said in the Dewan Rakyat. “For any CBU-imported cars, we want them to also play a role in providing these facilities,” he said.

As of December 31, 2025, there are a total of 5,624 public chargers installed nationwide, or 56% of the 2025 target of 10,000 public chargers set by the government, Johari said. Of these, 1,923 DC fast chargers have been installed, surpassing the 1,500-unit target for DC charging points, while AC chargers lagged behind at 3,701 units, or about 43% of the 8,500-unit target, the minister said.

“The availability of fast chargers is the main factor influencing users’ confidence to switch to electric vehicles,” said Johari, who said that prioritising installation of DC chargers is crucial to building consumer trust. The minister also encouraged EV owners to install chargers at home, according to the report.

With the shortfall coming from the lower rate of AC charger installation, the Malaysia Zero Emission Vehicle Association (MyZEVA) estimated in 2024 that the target for 8,500 public AC chargers would only be met in the third quarter of this year.

Among the EV brands in Malaysia with their own charging network is Tesla, which secured exemption from having a local partner for its franchise AP under the BEV Global Leaders programme in 2023.

A requirement for Tesla’s exemption was that at least 30% of its DC fast chargers (with a minimum of 180 kW) are open to the public, and for use by EVs from other brands from 2025, but this has yet to happen as Tesla Superchargers are still only accessible by Tesla vehicles.