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Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is formulating a strategy for Sabah to be at the forefront of the country’s Electronic Vehicle (EV) industry.

State Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Phoong Jin Zhe said the RM4.2 billion SK Nexilis copper foil plant in KKIP is just the beginning. Copper is a major component in EV batteries. 

“It is important that we leap from traditional combustion engines…China was never successful in this sector. But now Toyota and Honda are seeing a dip in sales after China came out with EVs.

“Tanjung Malim in Perak has a huge automotive manufacturing hub called Proton City. 

“Sabah can never compete at this stage, we are too far behind. But we can be the nation’s EV manufacturing hub. We just need the human capital to create the ecosystem. 

“EV is the future, and we are on equal footing with Johor on this matter, which is at the starting line,” he said. 

Phoong said that in a not too distant future, traditional mechanics would eventually be phased out in the transition.

“Even the tools for fixing up an EV is completely different. Awareness must be sent out to the people.

“There is currently an insignificant number of EVs in Sabah because of the price. But it will go down. Automotive companies are competing on this,” he added. 

He said the fully electric BMW iX even at an asking price of RM650,000 is still popular. Tesla cars have been available in Sabah since 2022.

Phoong was met at the unveiling of Sabah’s second EV charging station, ChargeSini, at The Walk@Riverson Mall, Saturday.

Three high-capacity 22kW AC type chargers, located within the mall’s parking premises are priced at 0.40 MYR per minute.

“Charging stations will soon be everywhere…we need to show that they are everywhere to encourage Sabahans in the long run. Unlike a petrol station, EVs can be everywhere. The future will be very different. Charging stations can also be in neighbourhoods. 

“I understand City Hall is also planning to establish a few in their open spaces. Maybe we can start there,” he said.

Phoong noted that the federal Government has set a target of 10,000 charging stations across Malaysia by 2030. 

“Within the next 10 to 20 years, more than half the vehicles on roads will be electric. We must embrace this global trend, setting an example not just for Sabah but for the entire nation.”

Phoon’s comments were echoed in the newly-tabled Budget 2024, in which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a scheme encouraging the use of electric motorcycles for individuals earning RM120,000 and below annually, 150 electric buses to be acquired by Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, and the extension of income tax exemptions of up to RM2,500 for spending on EV charging facilities for another four years.