Data Points Briefing

Malaysia sets an EV import floor: RM200,000 and 180 kW

With its EV import tax breaks lapsed, Malaysia now walls fully built-up imports into the premium segment — pushing volume demand toward local assembly.

15 July 2026 ·1 min read

Malaysia Automotive / EV Regulation Incentives Supply chains EV policy CBU imports CKD localisation CIF value motor output

Malaysia’s EV import incentives have lapsed — imported fully built-up EVs now need a minimum declared value and motor output to clear customs.

Malaysia's new CBU EV import requirements and its three-phase EV strategy

The read. With the CBU tax incentives expired at the end of 2025, a RM200,000 minimum CIF value (≈US$49,000) and a 180 kW motor floor now confine imported fully built-up EVs to the premium tier. The effect is deliberate: the affordable, high-volume segment is steered away from imports and toward locally assembled (CKD) models — the “Assemble” phase of Malaysia’s three-step path to a domestic EV supply base.

What to watch. The mass-market opportunity now runs through local assembly and the vendor build-up behind it, not through imports. Track CKD line commitments and supplier localisation as the market works toward the national target of 20% EV and xEV sales by 2030.