MAM Set To Sanction EV Races In Malaysia

With electric vehicles (EVs) gaining momentum in Malaysia, the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) is gearing up to sanction its first EV races.

MAM President Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir highlighted that the shift to EV racing will demand a whole new set of safety standards compared to traditional races involving internal combustion engines (ICE).

Mokhzani further added, "At the moment, we don’t have specific guidelines for EV races, but we’ll begin studying the necessary regulations and safety measures very soon." 

He also went on to emphasise that MAM won’t be navigating this transition alone, as the International Automobile Federation (FIA) will be providing guidance on how to manage EV races and the unique vehicles involved.

Following which, MAM will release a new rulebook for EV racing in Malaysia once the details are finalised with core focus placed on safety protocols. This is because high-voltage batteries are present in EVs which pose unique risks.

Furthermore, EVs are also likely to be heavier than petrol cars, impacting both handling and accident rescue response. This is similar to when Formula 1 introduced hybrid engines, handling an EV accident will require an entirely different approach.

Although not popular here in Malaysia, EV racing is in actuality well-established on the global stage, but has largely been confined to its own exclusive series. For example, Formula E, the electric counterpart to Formula 1 was launched in 2014, with Malaysia hosting street concept track races in Putrajaya during the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Additionally, the eTouring Car World Cup (ETCR) briefly ran from 2021 to 2023, while the MotoE World Championship for electric motorcycles has been running as a support event to MotoGP since 2019. However, at Carz.com.my we conclude that all these races came before the EV hype in the country, resulting in lack of viewership and demand.

Nevertheless, with growing interest in EVs, MAM’s move signals a fresh chapter for motorsports in Malaysia especially with more and more EV models are introduced at all price ranges. 

Source: NSTP