Proton’s e.MAS 7, Perodua’s debut EV and Sime Darby’s premium electric vehicle (EV) push are seen as key beneficiaries of Malaysia’s Budi95 policy.
From Sept 30, RON95 petrol is RM1.99 per litre for eligible Malaysians with a 300-litre monthly quota; non-citizens pay about RM2.60.
There is no daily refuelling limit, but transactions would be monitored to deter abuse. The Finance Ministry said 300 litres can cover roughly 170km of daily commuting, helping stabilise household budgets.
According to CIMB Research as reported in The Star, the Budi95 policy would support auto demand by keeping fuel affordable for most drivers, aiding Proton, Perodua and entry Japanese marques. The quota could raise effective costs for high-mileage users such as e-hailing and inter-state commuters, steering total cost of ownership towards hybrids and EVs over time.
Fiscal savings of RM2.5bil–RM4bil a year are slated for cash aid and infrastructure, which should ease living-cost pressures and underpin near-term consumption. Fuel demand remains inelastic, so the impact on retailers is modest; Petronas Dagangan is not expected to see major gains.
CIMB estimated savings of up to RM18 per person monthly if the full allocation is used. Eligibility covers licensed Malaysians aged 16 and above, with MyKad verification and app-based channels (eg Setel and TnG eWallet) to execute the scheme.
Sectorally, electrification stands out. Proton has activated local EV capacity at Tanjung Malim, beginning with the e.MAS 7 and a lower-priced e.MAS 5 to follow. Perodua is preparing its first EV for the mass market later this year.
Sime Darby Motors continues to widen its premium EV offering through BMW, MINI and Porsche, with network growth expanding reach to affluent buyers.
On the whole, Budi95 aims to preserve disposable income, steady mass-market auto demand, and create a gradual tailwind for EV adoption as high-usage drivers encounter the quota ceiling.
