Electric vehicle in Malaysia: Power source challenges, infrastructure gaps and international benchmarking

• Reviews EV adoption in Malaysia from a power system and grid perspective. • Benchmarks Malaysia’s EV ecosystem against top global EV markets. • Identifies the challenges of EV adoption in Malaysia. • Outlines specific strategies for improving EV adoption in Malaysia. Electric vehicle (EV) represents a key technology in the global transition toward low-emission transportation, with the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and urban air pollution. In Malaysia, EV adoption is gaining traction through initiatives such as the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint and the National Energy Transition Roadmap. However, progress remains constrained by high capital costs, limited charging infrastructure, policy uncertainties, and energy grid limitations. This review critically examines the status and challenges of EV deployment in Malaysia, with a focus on the integration of energy sources, battery technologies, and charging infrastructure. Drawing on comparative analysis with leading EV markets such as China, the United States, Germany, and Japan, this study identifies scalable strategies relevant to Malaysia’s context. Key themes include localized battery cost structures, thermal management in tropical climates, and the role of renewable-powered charging networks. The paper also explores policy mechanisms to support EV retrofitting and power infrastructure planning. Through an interdisciplinary synthesis of academic literature, national policy documents, and market data, this review highlights pathways to improve EV adoption in emerging economies by addressing energy system constraints, battery sustainability, and infrastructure scalability.