3-7-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Tesla is set to make its highly anticipated debut in Malaysia later this month. The confirmation of the launch came just four months after the government revealed that the electric vehicle (EV) company would be entering the Malaysian market.
The official unveiling event is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur on 20 July, as stated in the official invitation that has recently been received. Although the Malaysian section of Tesla’s official website is not yet online, the company has already established its official Instagram page for Tesla Malaysia.
As of now, it remains uncertain which models Tesla will introduce during the launch in Malaysia. However, it is likely that the company will bring the Model Y and Model 3 to the market, similar to its offerings in Singapore and Thailand.
The pricing of the Tesla EVs in Malaysia is also a question of interest. In Singapore, the Model Y starts at SGD87,990 (~RM303,657), while the Model 3 begins at SGD75,990 (~RM262,244). In Thailand, the Model Y is priced from THB1,959,000 (~RM259,643), and the Model 3 starts at THB1,759,000 (~RM233,000). Based on these prices, it is reasonable to assume that Tesla will position its EVs in Malaysia within the price range of approximately RM260,000 to RM350,000.
In a recent announcement, Tesla revealed a record-high quarterly production of electric vehicles, with 479,700 units manufactured in Q2 2023. The majority of these units, over 95% or 460,211 vehicles, consisted of the Model 3 and Model Y. Notably, the Tesla units intended for Malaysia, as observed on SIRIM, will be equipped with radar equipment in addition to the optical cameras used for autopilot and self-driving features.
The timing of this revelation aligns well with the recent proposal by Transport Minister Anthony Loke to introduce a new formula that would result in lower road tax for EVs compared to petrol and diesel vehicles. Currently, road tax for EVs is exempted until the end of 2025, along with import and excise duties for all fully imported EVs. Minister Loke also disclosed plans to introduce special registration number plates for EVs, starting with the prefix “EV1.” This initiative aims to ensure clear identification of EVs, enabling the Fire and Rescue Department to take appropriate precautions and procedures in handling EV-related fires following accidents.
Another significant aspect of Tesla’s entry into Malaysia is the establishment of its Supercharger network. As part of the requirements set by Malaysia, Tesla will need to install a minimum of 50 Superchargers within the next three years, with at least 30% of them being accessible to other EV brands.
