Malaysia Rolls Out ASEAN’s First EV Battery Passport Standard

Malaysia recently strengthened its electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem with the introduction of the region’s first EV battery passport standard. 

The new guideline, Malaysian Standard MS 2818: Battery Passport for Electrified Vehicle – General Requirements, was launched on Nov 14 by the Department of Standards Malaysia during MITI ASEAN Day 2025.

Developed together with the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), MS 2818 makes Malaysia the first country in Southeast Asia to adopt a formalised EV battery passport standard. The move comes as the EV industry continues to evolve quickly, with frequent technological updates and new models entering the market.

Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Liew Chin Tong said the standard will help Malaysia keep pace with rapid changes in the global EV landscape. He added that structured standards are essential in supporting industry players, strengthening the charging ecosystem and enabling faster sector growth.

Earlier this year, MARii CEO Azrul Reza Aziz shared that the agency was already developing an EV battery passport system to track battery composition, origin, lifespan and recyclability. 

MARii is also positioning itself as an EV innovation hub through the Centre of Excellence for Future Industry (CoEFI), which will feature Malaysia’s first EV proving ground and dedicated testing labs to support upcoming EV technologies.

According to the Department of Standards Malaysia, MS 2818 will function as a digital record that tracks an EV battery throughout its life cycle, ensuring better transparency, traceability and sustainability across the supply chain. 

The agency expects the standard to become a regional reference point as ASEAN works towards a more transparent and responsible EV battery ecosystem.