Malaysia's EV Future Hinges on Cross-Sector and Regional Collaboration

No single player can navigate the future of mobility alone - a sentiment echoed strongly by Datuk Dr Aminar Rashid, Chairman of the Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), during the PwC Automotive ASEAN Conference held recently.

Highlighting the scale and complexity of the transition towards electric vehicles (EVs) and next-generation mobility, Aminar stressed that governments, industries, academia, financial institutions, and consumers must work together - not just within Malaysia’s borders, but across ASEAN and beyond.

“This shift requires more than just individual effort. It demands coordinated action to address infrastructure gaps, modernise logistics networks, and simplify cross-border mobility to ensure a seamless flow of goods, services and talent,” he said in his opening remarks.

Malaysia’s electrical and electronics (E&E) sector is poised to drive the country’s rise as a regional leader in EV and battery component manufacturing. This ambition is part of a broader strategy to support the growing demands of ASEAN’s evolving mobility ecosystem.

The country’s National Automotive Policy 2020 sets a clear vision for establishing Malaysia as a hub for next-generation vehicles, mobility accessories, and Industry 4.0 technologies. Complementing this, the Industrial Master Plan 2030 challenges Malaysia to transition into a high-value, high-tech economy grounded in sustainability and inclusivity.

As part of this strategy, MARii is actively collaborating with academic institutions, industry players, and government agencies to develop certification pathways, digital training platforms, and inclusive programmes designed to empower Malaysians and build a future-ready workforce.

“MARii will pave the way towards a sustainable, inclusive and resilient future built on collaboration, innovation and a clear purpose,” said Aminar.

In a significant step towards this shared vision, MARii and PwC Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the conference aimed to accelerate Malaysia’s position as a regional mobility innovation hub by leveraging PwC’s data-driven insights. 

These insights will help decision making through better informed automotive policy development, guide investment strategies and enhance long-term industry competitiveness.

PwC Malaysia Executive Chair Nurul A’in Abdul Latif said the automotive industry is undergoing profound transformation driven by technology, evolving regulations, shifting investment priorities and changing consumer expectations.

“Through this collaboration, PwC is committed to supporting Malaysia’s ambitions, especially as the country prepares to assume the ASEAN chairmanship,” she said.

The future of mobility, Aminar reiterated, belongs not to a single entity but to a collective movement - built through unified efforts, visionary policies, and region-wide cooperation.

Source: The EDGE Malaysia