EV Stakeholders to Govt: Focus on Chargers, Not App

Following up on our coverage and industry feedback regarding charge point operators (CPOs), further pushback has been reported against the proposed consolidation of electric vehicle (EV) charging applications into a single platform.

While some welcome the initiative, many industry stakeholders argue that the priority should first be on the full development of EV infrastructure. Instead of channeling funds into a unified app, they suggest that the government invest in helping CPOs expedite the expansion of charging networks.

According to The Star, the Electric Vehicle Association of Malaysia (EVAM) president Datuk Dennis Chuah acknowledged that a unified platform could offer greater convenience for EV users. However, he also warned that it could also lead to increased charging rates. He stressed that the government should focus on strengthening the local EV ecosystem and ensuring industry sustainability before pushing for application consolidation.

He further added, “While such an application will make it easier for current EV users, it will not significantly boost adoption if infrastructure issues and sustainability concerns are not addressed first.”

He also highlighted the need for increased local manufacturing, service support centers, more charging stations, longer battery warranties, and manufacturer commitments to battery recycling as key measures to drive EV adoption.

Similarly, Malaysian EV Owners Club (MyEVOC) president Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi cautioned that forcing a consolidated payment platform might introduce significant costs and reliability concerns.

“Rushing into this could turn all EV charging stations into a potential single point of failure, where a single mistake could harm the market and consumer confidence. Additionally, the need for new hardware and software to ensure seamless consolidation could lead to hidden costs, which may ultimately be passed down to EV users,” he said.

Shahrol also warned of the long-term risk of stagnation in the EV ecosystem if competition among CPOs is stifled. Instead, he suggested allowing the EV market to mature and encouraging industry players to develop their own user-friendly payment innovations.

“We are already witnessing roaming arrangements among larger players, allowing users to access and pay for the majority of public charging points in the country. Some operators have also introduced card payment terminals at charging stations, bypassing the need for applications altogether,” he said.

EV enthusiast Farhan Abdul Rahim, echoed similar concerns, stating that consolidating charging payment platforms at this stage could stifle ongoing innovation among CPOs.

“If consolidation happens too soon, CPOs will have no incentive to compete and innovate. This could also lead to increased costs for consumers if a single entity is granted a concession to operate the unified application, potentially resulting in a monopoly. Consolidation should only be considered if it incurs no additional costs for end users and if CPOs are allowed to expand to at least 10,000 chargers nationwide,” he said.

As of the last recorded data, there are 3,611 charging points—1,095 DC and 2,516 AC—far short of the government’s target of 10,000 charging points by the end of 2025. This shortfall has been evident since last year, as the rollout of new charge points has slowed substantially.

While EV sales are improving—with 21,789 vehicles registered in 2024 and 3,851 in just January and February 2025—charging stations are not seeing the kind of congestion that would justify aggressive expansion by CPOs, as was the case in 2023. A significant factor in this is that most EV owners in Malaysia are landed home dwellers with access to home charging.

Adding to the challenges, many CPOs are struggling financially. The uncertainty surrounding the continuation of the CBU EV tax subsidy, which is set to expire later this year, further complicates the situation - will EV sales still remain positive in 2026 and beyond after the sales spike in 2025 which will determine their consumer base. Without subsidies, EV prices are expected to increase substantially. 

EV Prices Pre & Post Subsidy

Additionally, there has been little visible progress on CKD EV assembly efforts, as brands remain cautious due to the lack of long-term incentives beyond the 2027 CKD EV subsidy. Some speculate whether this is a strategic move to limit foreign competition and favor local automakers, which are expected to be EV-ready by year-end.