The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) has set new entry conditions for electric vehicle (EV) brands seeking to enter the market through Franchise Approved Permits from Jan 1, 2026, including a minimum on-the-road (OTR) price of RM250,000 and a minimum motor output of 200kW (about 272PS) for passenger EVs.
The tightened thresholds are limited to new vehicle brands that have never previously been approved under any AP holder, meaning established brands already importing EVs under earlier approvals are not subject to the new RM250,000 and 200kW gatekeeping conditions.
Miti’s guideline also applies a matching RM250,000 OTR minimum to new-brand, fully imported (CBU) passenger cars with internal combustion engines above 1,800cc under the same AP channel.
On compliance, the guideline states that AP-imported passenger EV models must carry UNR100 (version 3) certification and comply with MS ISO 17840, which covers information for first and second responders in a fire or accident.
Separately, EV models approved under AP system between Jan 1, 2023 and Dec 31, 2025 remain tied to an existing RM100,000 minimum OTR floor.
The policy document also outlines eligibility and operating conditions for AP holders, including at least 70% Bumiputera shareholding and paid-up capital of at least RM1 million, plus requirements tied to an exclusive franchise arrangement and company-owned showroom facilities.
For two-wheelers, the guideline limits AP imports of conventional motorcycles to 250cc and above, while electric motorcycles are not subject to a motor-output threshold but must be priced at not less than RM12,000 OTR and certified to UNR136 or MS 2413.
The document adds an administrative update for 2026: EV car imports must include the motor number in the ePermit system from Jan 1, 2026.
The update comes as Malaysia’s CBU EV import and excise duty exemptions expire after 2025, with multiple reports noting that CBU EVs arriving on or after Dec 28, 2025 no longer qualify for the exemptions, even as details of new duty rates remain limited.
