Malaysia needs more than just EVs

 

The 2024 budget placed significant emphasis on promoting electric vehicles (EVs) through policies led by the investment, trade and industry ministry and the finance ministry.

While the push for EVs is commendable for its environmental focus, it risks becoming a narrow solution to a much broader issue.

An overemphasis on EVs threatens to divert attention away from more urgent transportation challenges facing the country, particularly traffic congestion and the inefficiency of urban mobility.

Although EVs play a critical role in reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change, they do not tackle the core problems of crowded roads, poorly integrated public transport systems and the lack of a comprehensive mobility strategy.

Road congestion

Replacing petrol-powered cars with electric ones does little to alleviate congestion if there are no corresponding efforts to reduce the overall number of vehicles on the road, especially in city centres.

Traffic jams will persist, just that the vehicles stuck in the congestion will have quieter and cleaner engines.

The root causes of congestion – such as car dependency, the urban sprawl and an underdeveloped public transit system – will remain unaddressed, leading to the same inefficiencies and lost productivity that have long plagued urban centres like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru and other state capitals.

Moreover, the current EV-centric strategy may widen the gap in transportation equity.

Although electric vehicles are becoming more affordable, they are still out of reach for many Malaysians due to their high upfront costs compared with petrol-powered cars.

Without better alternatives, particularly in public transport, lower-income groups may be forced to rely on older, more polluting vehicles.

Thus, the government’s focus on EVs, such as offering minimal road tax, could unintentionally exacerbate social and economic disparities if not paired with investments into affordable and reliable mass transit systems, especially for towns and cities outside the Klang Valley.

Micromobility

To create a more sustainable and efficient transportation system, the government must prioritise a dual approach that balances EV promotion with robust public transportation development.

Consideration must be given to the planning of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes, and to encouraging and offering tax-free incentives for micromobility vehicles for urban and suburban use.

Significant investments in public transport infrastructure – such as expanding rail networks, enhancing bus services by creating a BRT right-of-way and integrating first-mile, last-mile connectivity solutions using micromobility vehicles – are becoming essential.

Public transit offers a more effective solution for reducing congestion, lowering overall emissions and improving urban mobility.

A focus on pedestrian-friendly urban streets that promote walkable cities and mixed-use developments with micromobility options can also complement this approach, reducing the need for long car commutes and phasing out car parking spaces in city centres.

For instance, electrifying public transport fleets, such as electric or hydrogen-powered buses, can have an immediate impact on reducing both traffic and emissions.

Combining EV incentives with initiatives to upgrade public transport ensures that the environmental benefits of electrification extend beyond personal vehicles to the broader transportation ecosystem.

Conclusion

While the promotion of electric vehicles is an important step toward a greener future, it should not be viewed as a one-size-fits-all solution to Malaysia’s transportation challenges.

A comprehensive strategy that emphasises public transport, urban mobility through pedestrianised streets and equitable access to road networks will create a more balanced, efficient, and sustainable system for all Malaysians.

The 2025 budget should mandate that all cities in Malaysia implement BRT routes and pedestrian streets for mass mobility.

By doing so, the government can address both environmental concerns and the everyday transportation needs of its citizens more effectively. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.